Get Tested for Allergies

Get tested for allergies if you are suffering from allergy symptoms. Do you have symptoms of itchy or watery eyes, sniffling, sneezing, cough, sore throat, or stuffy nose? You may have allergies.

Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies are allergies that appear only during certain season of the year. There are sometimes during the year when pollen, weed, grass, flowers and trees are blooming or shedding off particles that agitate seasonal allergy sufferers.

Year Round Allergies

If you have allergies all the time, you may have allergies to food, mold, dust, dust mites, or pet dander that are around you all year long.

If your doctor recommends that you get allergy testing, he will inform you of how to prepare yourself for the testing. You may only need one or two strings of tests. Some people may need a third string of tests. You and your doctor can decide which foods and irritants you will be tested for. Here are the general requirements of allergy testing:

Stop Using Antihistamines Before You Get Tested For Allergies

You will need to stop using any allergy medications that you currently take including antihistamines at least seven days prior to your allergy testing. Antihistamines could skew the results of your allergy tests.

Bring a Book With You to Get Tested For Allergies

You will need to wait for fifteen minutes in between the string of allergy tests. If you need a third string of testing, you may need to come back for a second office visit.

Relax When You Get Tested For Allergies

You doctor will scrap your back gently with a plastic stick that has the irritant on it. The nurse will label the irritant so that if you are allergic to it, they know what it was. You will need to wait fifteen minutes to see if you have an allergic reaction. Your back will itch, but you cannot touch it, so just relax and ignore it.

If you feel sick or have extreme itchy during the fifteen minute waiting period, call the doctor or nurse into your room.

After the fifteen minutes, the nurse will check to see what you are allergic to, wash off the irritants and then put on some anti itch cream to relieve your discomfort.

If you need a second string of allergy tests, they will apply them next.

After testing is done, you will immediately know what you are allergic too and your doctor will be able to treat you immediately with the appropriate medication.

You will also be able to get regular allergy shots to help you build up an immunity to your allergies.

Source:

Mayo Clinic