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Allergy Testing for Environmental and Food Allergies

Also known as skin prick or scratch testing, allergy skin testing is the preferred and most accurate method for diagnosing environmental and food allergies. Our practice offers skin testing for our patients who may be suffering from an unknown environmental or food allergy for which standard treatments are not adequate. The purpose of testing is two-fold: once an allergen is identified, it can be avoided or eliminated (this is especially true for food allergens). If avoiding the allergen is next to impossible (i.e. seasonal allergies to tree or grass pollens) and common allergy medications do not relieve symptoms, immunotherapy can be implemented to decrease the body's response to the allergen over time. If you are interested in allergy testing for your child, please ask one of our providers or call our office for more information.

Type of Allergy	Caused By	Symptoms
Seasonal	Tree, grass, or weed pollen Mold spores	Stuffy nose, runny nose, sneezing Itchy or red eyes, sore throat, or itching of the throat or ears Waking up at night, trouble sleeping, fatigue during the day Asthma symptoms (wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath)
Indoor	Mold spores Animals, such as cats and dogs Insects, such as dust mites and cockroaches
Insect	Stings from honeybees, yellow jackets, hornets and wasps, fire ants	Red, hot skin (flushing) Red, raised patches of skin (hives) Swelling of the face, eyelids, mouth, tongue, hands, and feet (angioedema) Asthma symptoms Nausea and vomitingFeeling lightheaded
Food	Milk (dairy), eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish
Medicine	Penicillin and related meds
Latex	Gloves, condoms, balloons