Allergy Testing Specialist

What are allergies?

Allergies refer to an immune system response to a substance, referred to as an allergen, that it perceives as dangerous. Allergies are very common and cause a variety of symptoms that can make your day-to-day activities difficult.

Common allergy symptoms include:

• Hives or skin rash
• Runny nose
• Itchy, watery eyes
• Scratchy throat

In some cases, your immune system causes a severe reaction, referred to as anaphylaxis, that may affect your breathing and requires immediate medical care.

What are common allergens?

You can develop an allergy to almost anything. However, certain substances more commonly cause an allergic reaction than others. Common allergens include:

• Dust, mold, or pet dander
• Pollen
• Insect bites
• Food products such as wheat, tree nuts, seafood, peanuts, and milk

The team at Clover Internal Medicine takes a holistic and proactive approach to medical care. Before recommending treatment for your allergies, they identify the allergen responsible for your symptoms with allergy testing.

What is allergy testing?

Allergy testing refers to the diagnostic tools used to identify the allergen causing your symptoms. There are two primary ways to test for allergies:

Skin allergy testing

Skin allergy testing is conducted at the office. To determine the cause of your symptoms, your specialist pricks your skin with common allergens and observes for a reaction. If you develop a red raised bump at the site of the skin prick, it’s likely that you’re allergic to that specific substance.

Blood testing

An allergy blood test looks for specific antibodies in your blood that may indicate the substance causing your symptoms.

Your specialist at Clover Internal Medicine determines the type of allergy testing you need based on your symptoms and medical history. Certain medications can affect the results of skin allergy testing, which is why blood testing may be recommended.

What happens after my allergy testing?

Once your specialist knows the allergens causing your symptoms, they develop a personalized treatment plan to help you avoid the allergen and manage your symptoms. If you’re allergic to pollen, your specialist may provide you with specific medication to manage your symptoms during the seasons when the pollen count is high.

Allergies can cause many symptoms that may be difficult to live with. To find out what you’re allergic to, call Clover Internal Medicine or book an appointment online for allergy testing.