Allergy Testing Protocol

 

Testing will take 1 to 2 hours

 

NOTE:  Children under age 18-years must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Younger children will require the assistance of a parent or legal guardian during the entire testing procedure: please – do not bring other siblings at the time of testing of the patient. 

 

Instructions-

 

1. Wear a sleeveless, or loose-fitting shirt.  Testing is done on upper arms (elbow to shoulder area). Numerous dilutions of various antigens will be injected under the skin to determine your allergies. 

 

2. Eat something light:  No restrictions of food or fluids before testing. 

 

3. Complete allergy questionnaire and give to staff at the time of testing.

 

4. If you have a history of asthma or reactive airway disease, notify staff. This may prevent skin testing. 

 

Discontinue

 

1. ANTIDEPRESSANTS – (Tricyclic) – discontinue 7-days before testing.  

 

2. ANTIHISTAMINES – discontinue 7-days prior to testing. 

• prescription medications: Allegra, Claritin, Zyrtec, Xyzal

• over-the-counter medications: , Benadryl, Dristan, Tavist, Tylenol Sinus, Etc.

• exceptions: Robitussin PE, Sudafed)

• •  

3. BETA BLOCKERS – (Adrenergic) – discontinue 7-days before testing.

              

4. CORTISONE - “Cortisone Therapy” – oral/injection – discontinue 4-8 weeks depending on the type taken. (Aristocort, Celestone, Cortef, Decadron, Deltasone, Depo-Medrol, Hydrocortone, Kenacort, Kenalog, Medrol, Prednisone, Solu-Medrol).

 

5. CREAMS -   with cortisone – to upper arms – discontinue 2-3 weeks prior to testing. (CortaidCream, Hydrocortisone Cream, etc.)

 

6. INJECTION (allergy) - discontinue 7-days before testing.

 

Continue

 

1. NASAL SPRAYS OR INHALERS* - (with/without steroid).

 *Note: bring these with you – May need during testing!

 

2. OPHTHALMIC (EYE) DROPS – (with/without Beta-Blocker).

 

3. Routine daily medications – except as listed above.

 

CANCELLATION OF TESTING: please give 7-days to notice to this office