How to Prepare for Your Allergy Test
Thank you for entrusting us with you and your family’s medical care. Allergy testing will give us immediate results that can help pinpoint your allergies. This can be done for environmental and food allergies. The goal of an allergy test is to identify the presence, type, and severity of allergies, which are an abnormal response your body has to certain substances in the environment. Allergies can cause many Ear, Nose, and Throat disorders, as well as other symptoms such as some swallowing issues, asthma, and hives.
Allergy skin testing is typically performed on the forearm or back, and takes approximately 60 minutes. This test is done on both adults and children of most ages. It is important that you inform us of all your medical issues and medications, including any vitamins or over the counter remedies to ensure an accurate and safe allergy test Patients scheduled for allergy skin testing must stop taking any medications that contain antihistamines as they will affect the results of your test. This includes both over-the-counter as well as prescription medications. Below is a helpful document which outlines the medications known to impact skin prick allergy testing.
Additional Medication Information
Do not discontinue antidepressants/psychotropic medications or any other medications without consulting your prescribing physician. Call your pharmacy or prescribing physician if you are unsure about the names of your medications.
After completion of testing it is recommended that patients avoid any strenuous exercise for two hours. Patients that take medications known as beta blockers are considered to be at higher risk for side effects related to allergy skin testing. Beta blockers are used to treat high blood pressure, migraines, glaucoma and other heart conditions. These medications include labetalol, timolol, atenolol and metoprolol etc. It is the office policy of Colden Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy to avoid skin testing while patients on these medications.
As a rule, asthma medications do NOT affect skin testing results (e.g. singulair, inhalers) and should be continued. Also, single ingredient decongestant preparations (e.g. Sudafed, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine) can be taken. All nasal sprays can be used except Azelastine, Astelin, Asteepro, Dymista and Patanase
We look forward to performing your allergy skin testing. If you have questions regarding medications or testing techniques please do not hesitate to speak with our Allergy Department at 978-997-1550 (extension 111). For faster communication you can utilize the patient portal. Thank you, Colden Ear, Nose, Throat & Allergy
