Skin Testing
Allergy & Immunology, Rheumatology & Asthma Specialists located in Amarillo, TX
Skin testing is an accurate way to determine what substances trigger allergic reactions. If you have allergy symptoms, visit Constantine K. Saadeh, MD, FAAAAI, FACP, FACR, Nicole Davey-Ranasinghe, MD, FACP, FACR, and the Allergy A.R.T.S. team in Amarillo, Texas, for expert skin testing. The providers have extensive experience in performing allergy tests and analyzing the results. They also offer personalized treatment to control allergy symptoms. Call Allergy A.R.T.S. to schedule an allergy consultation and skin testing, or book an appointment online today!
Skin testing is a diagnostic procedure the Allergy A.R.T.S. team uses to identify the cause of allergies. It enables your specialist to learn about your allergies without triggering a widespread allergic reaction.
When you have the test, your provider creates a small scratch on your skin, usually on your back or arm. (The process isn’t painful.) They introduce a minute quantity of a potential allergen in liquid extract form into the skin with each scratch.
If you have an allergy to the applied substance, your skin reacts. It might change color, and the area may become raised and/or hardened. The affected area’s size, color, and other features confirm your allergy and indicate the condition’s likely severity.
Skin testing is suitable for most people, but not everyone. Your provider checks carefully beforehand for issues that could make skin testing inadvisable, like extreme sensitivity to allergens that might produce life-threatening anaphylaxis.
Skin testing helps the Allergy A.R.T.S. team develop a targeted allergy treatment plan. Conditions they can identify using skin testing include:
If you show any symptoms or they observe you have one or more of these conditions, skin testing pinpoints the cause so you can receive the most effective treatment.
Skin testing is reliable for diagnosing allergies to pet dander, pollen, dust mites, and other environmental allergens. Skin testing may also help diagnose food allergies, but these conditions are often complex and may require additional allergy tests or procedures.
Skin testing requires minimal preparation. Give your provider a list of prescription medicines and over-the-counter medications or supplements you take to ensure accurate results. If you usually use antihistamines, you might need to stop taking them for a few days before skin testing.
Skin testing is an in-office procedure at Allergy A.R.T.S. First, your provider cleanses your skin with alcohol and marks where each allergen should go. Next, they prick your skin and apply the suspected allergen to the corresponding mark. Skin testing may include up to 40 allergens.
When you get the results, your provider recommends ways to manage your allergy successfully.
Call Allergy A.R.T.S. today to learn more about skin testing or book an appointment online for first-class allergy treatment.