If you’re experiencing congestion, sneezing, rashes or other irritating symptoms, you may have allergies. At Charleston ENT & Allergy, our providers can perform allergy tests to determine if this is the cause of your condition and help you enjoy life more with the aid of specialized allergy management and treatment.
What Is an Allergy Test?
Allergists and ENTs perform tests to see if your immune system reacts to substances known as allergens and, if so, which ones affect you. People can be allergic to pollen, mold, certain foods, medications and insect stings.
- Skin Prick Test: The first phase of allergy testing is a skin prick test with possible allergens on your back, which breaks just the surface of your skin. Potential reactions include redness, raised skin or round spots. This test can determine airborne, food or penicillin allergies.
- Intradermal Test: For older children and adults, an intradermal test is the second phase of testing. This test is performed on your upper arms, where a tiny needle is used to place a small amount of allergen just under the top layer of your skin.
- Patch Test: Your provider will place drops of an allergen onto several bandages and then place them on your back. You’ll leave the bandages on and return to our office within several days. Your provider will then remove the bandage to check for a reaction. This test is effective at determining the causes of contact dermatitis.
- Blood Test: Your provider may order a blood test to be done at an outside lab facility. Lab staff will put allergens in the blood sample and measure the level of IgE antibodies. Blood allergy tests are susceptible to a higher rate of false-positive results.
- Challenge Test: Under direct supervision from your doctor, you will be asked to swallow a small amount of a suspected allergen to see how you react. This test determines food or drug allergies and should only be done with medical supervision. upervision.
Allergy Screening
These tests measure how your lungs are working and are often completed in addition to allergy tests. They include:
- Spirometry, which measures the amount of air you breathe in and out by breathing into a machine.
- FeNO, or an exhaled nitric oxide test, which determines how much lung inflammation is present.
How Can I Get an Allergy Test?
If you’re experiencing symptoms of allergies, our team at Charleston ENT & Allergy can help you determine what’s causing them. Our provider will determine which test is the most appropriate for you and will use the results to develop a customized treatment plan based on your needs and lifestyle.
Getting an allergy test is the first step to seeking treatment for your symptoms. We’re here to guide you through the process.
Call Charleston ENT & Allergy at (843) 766-7103 for more information or to schedule an appointment.