Skin testing

Itchy, watery eyes are frustrating and more than uncomfortable. Allergies can get in the way of many of your favorite activities, reducing your overall happiness. They can also be involved in the creation of chronic sinusitis, which can make it difficult to control asthma. It's important to take your allergies seriously and realize that, while annoying on the surface, they can cause real problems if not treated. Asthma-Allergy Clinic offers allergy treatment and testing services at our local clinic in Arlington, TX. From diagnosing your allergies to finding you relief, we're here to help.

The two methods most often used for skin testing are the prick test and the intradermal test. In either case, the test exposes you to tiny amounts of things to which you may be allergic. If you are allergic a reaction will appear. These reactions may itch or burn and will usually be about the size of a pencil eraser, but can get as large as a quarter. Each reaction will be recorded for the doctor to examine.

Adult tests start with the prick tests. It is quick, efficient, and relatively painless. Whether or not you will need intradermals will depend on what you react to during the prick tests. Intradermal means "within the skin." This involves injecting a small amount of allergen just under the skin. Some patients are afraid that this part of the test will be painful because a needle is involved. Although there may be a little discomfort it is not usually painful.

We also offer pediatric testing. We have a slightly different method for our pediatric patients. We use something called a Mulit-test, which can apply eight allergens with each application. There are five applications. The device involves no needles, but uses little plastic prongs to scratch the skin to apply the allergen. It is quick, efficient, and relatively painless. While there is little discomfort it can still be quite frightening for children. We do our best to make it as easy as possible.

We offer blood testing when necessary. This is usually necessary when a patient is unable to stop the medications that will interfere with testing results. However, we prefer skin prick because it is slightly more sensitive than blood tests and because we also try to keep cost in mind. Prick tests will cost you much less than blood testing. Allergy testing is a great way to determine whether you need further care. Once we know what you're allergic to we can manage your symptoms much more effectively. Get in touch with us today to start the process.

Do Not Take Any Antihistamines Seven Days Prior to Testing

(This includes but is not limited to: Zyrtec, Cold and Allergy such as Tylenol Cold and Sinus or Advil Cold and Sinus, Benadryl, Sleeping medication, motion sickness medication, anything labeled "Migraine" such as Advil migraine, anything labeled "PM" such as Tylenol PM)