Why is Allergy Testing Important?
Finding out what you are allergic to is the first step toward finding effective ENT Allergy treatment. Today’s allergy tests are more convenient and accurate than ever, and when combined with an exam and detailed medical history, can identify the specific things that trigger your ENT Allergic reactions.1
Different people are sensitive to different allergens, so information about your symptoms and medical history is necessary to determine what type of testing is needed. 2
Before your testing begins, our ENT Allergy specialists will follow these steps 3
- Take a medical history regarding your health, your symptoms, and whether members of your family have asthma, hay fever, hives, or skin rashes like eczema.
- Ask about your symptoms, when they occur, how often they happen, and what seems to bring them on.
- Ask you about your work, home, and eating habits to see if these can provide clues to pinpoint ENT Allergy triggers.
- Perform a physical exam to check for associated health factors.
What Type of Allergy Tests are Done?
Adults and children of any age can be tested for ENT Allergies. 1
There are two types of skin tests.
In a “skin prick” test, a drop of a suspected ENT Allergen is pricked on the surface of the skin of your back or forearm. Many suspected allergens are tested at the same time, and if you are allergic to one of the tests, you will have redness and swelling at the test spot for that allergen. 1
If your prick skin tests are negative, but your physician still suspects you might have ENT Allergies, a more sensitive “intradermal” test may be used in which a small amount of allergen is injected within the skin. 2
Skin testing is fast 1
For both types of skin tests, positive reactions usually appear within 20 minutes. You generally won’t have any other symptoms besides the small red spots where the tests were done, which go away within 30 minutes. Sometimes redness and swelling can occur several hours after skin testing. The delayed reaction usually disappears in 24 to 48 hours but should still be reported to the office.
Remember that the test results alone do not diagnose an ENT Allergy. All test results, from either type of test, must be interpreted together with the medical history and exam.
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There are also blood tests for allergies 3
Generally, skin testing is the most accurate and preferred method used by trained physicians.
Skin tests are more sensitive than blood tests, but a physician might use a blood test if:
- You're taking a medicine that could interfere with test results.
- You have very sensitive skin or a serious skin condition like eczema or psoriasis.
- You had a previous reaction to an allergen that suggested you were very sensitive and should avoid more exposure.
Why is the Choice of Allergy Test Important?
Patients are often sensitized to many allergens, but they are only clinically allergic, meaning they exhibit symptoms of one or more specific substances. Allergy tests should not be ordered randomly, but rather, chosen based on symptoms, environmental and occupational exposures, age, and even hobbies.
The best test will be selected to pinpoint your specific ENT Allergens and develop the best treatment approach for you. All results will then be interpreted in the context of your medical history.
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If you have any difficulty breathing through your nose or any difficulty with your nose in general, look no further than Dr. Weiss. Dr. Weiss did my surgery on October 5, 2016, which was not as big a deal as I anticipated. Now I can breathe like I've never been able to breathe before. It was the greatest sensation to be able to breathe through my nose. Thank you Dr Weiss for doing an excellent, fantastic, outstanding job.
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I am so grateful for this practice! For years and years, I suffered terribly from severe sinus infections brought on by every single little cold I'd catch. Dr. Weiss took the conservative approach with the balloon surgery to expand the access to and from the sinuses. This was painless and required no recovery time...It has been life changing. Dr. Weiss is a caring and skilled doctor to whom I'm grateful for giving me a much better quality of life. The practice, all of the staff members, are caring and fun, and I can't recommend it highly enough!
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Please note: Because every patient is unique, your results may vary.
