Our allergy testing services analyze the most common allergic rhinitis triggers including
pollens, mold, dust mites, furry animals and insect emanations.
Sneezing, runny nose, congestion, itchy, watery eyes. . . it must be allergy, right?
TWO TYPES OF SKIN TEST ARE PERFORMED
1. Prick tests (Percutaneous) on the back or forearms
2. Intradermal (Intracutaneous) on the arm
The number of tests may vary depending on the individual. Both types of tests may be
mildly uncomfortable. There is a small chance of developing an allergic reaction from
the testing, although this occurs very rarely. If your child is to be tested, we will be
happy to demonstrate each type of test on you, if you so desire. The tests are read 15-
20 minutes after the application. Patients should stop taking antihistamine medication
before the skin test to ensure the results come out accurate.
SKIN TESTS
These are performed in one or two visits of two to three hours each. Skin tests must be
correlated with the allergy history in order to be significant. For example, if you have
nasal symptoms during the month of June (when grasses pollinate) but you have only a
positive skin test to ragweed (which pollinates from mid-August to September), it is
unlikely that your symptoms and your skin test are related.
