Allergy Testing

When your symptoms suggest allergies, allergy testing is often the first step toward treatment. At Allergy and Asthma Institute, LLC, Lakshmi Reddy, MD, offers several skin tests that identify the substances responsible for your allergies and pave the way for making the best treatment decisions. To learn more about allergy testing or to schedule an appointment, call the office in Duluth, Georgia, or book online today.

When do I need allergy testing?

Allergy testing identifies the exact substances (allergens) that are responsible for your symptoms. You or your child may need allergy testing when over-the-counter medications don’t give you enough relief from common allergy symptoms, such as:

• Itchy eyes, nose, or throat
• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Watery eyes
• Sneezing
• Hives
• Skin rashes
• Sinus pain
• Nasal discharge
• Abdominal pain or diarrhea

You need testing before you can get allergy shots. Your provider may also do allergy testing if you have asthma. 

What type of allergy testing will I need?

Allergy and Asthma Institute, LLC, typically uses skin prick testing to identify your allergies. However, they may run two different types of skin tests: 

Skin prick test

When you get a skin prick test, your provider places a small drop of your suspected allergen on your inner arm, using a special skin marker to indicate the location and allergen. Then they make a small scratch under the allergen.

The scratch allows the allergen to get under your skin. You wait in the office for about 15 minutes to see if any of the allergens cause a skin reaction. If you develop a raised, red bump, it means you’re allergic to that substance. The width of the bump indicates how sensitive you are to the allergen. 

Intradermal skin test

An intradermal skin test is similar to a skin prick test, except your provider injects a small amount of an allergen under your skin. 

Your provider may do an intradermal skin test for insect and medicine allergies. You may also need this type of test when the results of your skin prick test are negative, but your symptoms and history strongly suggest you have allergies. 

Will I need to have blood drawn for allergy testing?

Your provider may consider blood testing if you can’t have a skin test. You may need a blood test if:

• You have a skin condition that prevents skin testing
• You take medications that interfere with skin test results
• You have poorly controlled asthma
• You’re at risk for a serious allergic reaction

If you need relief from allergy symptoms or want to learn more about allergy testing, call Allergy and Asthma Institute, LLC, or book online today.