Allergy Testing Specialist
-
- Tweet
Allergy and Asthma Treatment Center
Allergy Specialists located in Glendale, CA
If you want to take control of your allergies and get relief from nagging symptoms, you need to begin with allergy testing that identifies your allergens. At Allergy and Asthma Treatment Center in Glendale, California, Marine Demirjian, MD, specializes in safe allergy testing that accurately guides treatment of your symptoms. If you struggle with sneezing, itchy eyes, or congestion, call the office or book an appointment online today.
Allergy Testing Q & A
When should I consider allergy testing?
Anytime you or your child have ongoing allergy symptoms, you should consider allergy testing. After allergy testing identifies your allergens, your provider can recommend specific treatments to relieve your symptoms.
Consider getting allergy testing when you or your child has bothersome symptoms such as:
- Itchy eyes, nose, or throat
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Hives
- Skin rashes
- Sinus pain
- Daytime fatigue
- Severe reaction to insect stings
- Abdominal pain or diarrhea after eating
If you suspect an insect or food allergy, it’s important to get allergy testing and treatment to prevent a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
What allergies will testing identify?
Allergy and Asthma Treatment Center offers comprehensive testing for food, environmental, chemical, and metal allergens. Environmental allergies are triggered by substances in your surroundings, including:
- Pollen
- Dust mites
- Pet dander
- Molds
- Poison ivy
- Poison oak
- Latex
- Insect stings
You can also get allergy testing for medications such as penicillin and aspirin.
What type of allergy testing will I receive?
Allergy and Asthma Treatment Center begins with a skin prick or patch test. However, they offer the full range of allergy tests, including:
Skin prick test
Your provider places small drops of your suspected allergens on your skin. Then they make a small puncture, allowing the allergen to get under your skin. If you’re allergic to the allergen, an itchy bump appears in about 15 minutes.
A skin prick test can identify food, animal, environmental, and medical allergies.
Patch test
For this test, your provider places your suspected allergens on a self-adhesive patch and then places the patch on your back. You wear the patch for several days before returning to the office. Your provider checks under the patch for skin reactions that indicate an allergen.
Patch testing identifies contact allergens such as detergents, metals, and poison ivy and oak.
Intradermal testing
Intradermal testing is similar to a skin prick test, except your provider injects a small amount of allergen under your skin. You may need intradermal testing if your skin prick test was negative and your provider wants to verify the results.
Challenge test
A challenge test identifies food and drug allergies. Your provider may do this test to confirm the results of another test. During this type of test, you eat or inhale a small amount of your potential allergen.
Blood test
You may need a blood test if a skin condition prevents you from having a skin test.
To schedule allergy testing, call Allergy and Asthma Treatment Center or book an appointment online today.
