What You Need To Know About Allergy Testing

Do you suffer from various allergy symptoms, such as itching, wheezing, rashes, or runny nose often? Allergy testing can help you pinpoint exactly what’s triggering your allergy symptoms.

Here at Advanced Allergy and Asthma of Virginia, our allergists, Dr. Barry Feinstein and Dr. Margaret Sigman, regularly conduct allergy testing in our Midlothian and West End offices in Richmond, VA. These tests are crucial steps toward developing an allergy management plan to eliminate or control your allergy symptoms.

What to Expect When You See Your Allergist For Allergy Testing

Symptoms of various allergies could be very confusing because they’re usually similar. To ensure an accurate diagnosis and effective management plan, your allergist will conduct a thorough evaluation and different allergy tests. First, your allergist will compile and review your medical history.

Before going into our Midlothian or West End office in Richmond, VA, for your allergy testing, make sure to prepare all relevant medical information. You will also need to tell your allergist about your specific symptoms when they usually manifest, and whether you have a history of allergies in the family, including asthma. You’ll likewise be asked to keep track of your allergy symptoms, which is especially useful if your allergy might be caused by certain foods.

Allergy Tests to Expect

Once you’re done with your physical examination and medical history review, next comes the allergy testing. Since there’s usually no single test allergy test that can conclusively diagnose allergies, you may need to undergo multiple tests, such as:

• Skin Testing: This entails placing an allergen on your skin, typically on the forearm or back, and pricking the site with a small needle to make sure that the allergen penetrates your skin.
• Blood Testing: This involves getting a sample of your blood and testing it for certain IgE antibodies. Additionally, your allergist may order a RAST or radioallergosorbent blood test to try and identify the cause of your allergy.
• Elimination Testing: This is used for determining whether you have a specific food allergy. With elimination testing, you stop eating suspect foods for one to two weeks to see whether it makes any difference to your symptoms.
• Challenge or Provocation Testing: During this test, you’ll be exposed to tiny amounts of allergen. Your allergist will carefully watch you for signs of an allergy reaction.

Contact Us For Any Questions or More Details About Allergy Testing

Call our Midlothian or West End office in Richmond, VA, at 804-739-9005 to arrange your appointment with Dr. Barry Feinstein or Dr. Margaret Sigman here at Advanced Allergy and Asthma of Virginia.