Your Lawrenceville, GA Allergy Visit: What to Ask

Allergy testing can be done on the skin or through a blood test. Most allergists prefer the skin test because the results are available instantly and the patient can be tested for multiple allergies at the same time. A percutaneous test, also called a prick test, is a skin test that involves the allergist placing a tiny amount of an allergen on the tip of a device called a multi-test or a plastic pick, then lightly pricking the surface of the skin. After waiting about 15 to 20 minutes, if an allergic reaction occurs, it will reveal as a wheal (swelling) or flare (redness). The degree of the allergy is determined by the size of the reaction.

The stronger the allergy, the larger the reaction on the skin. The prick test is commonly performed on the back or may be performed on the forearm and will include either one or more of the relevant allergens or a panel of the most standard allergens, including:

– Trees
– Grasses
– Weeds
– Molds
– Dust mites
– Pet hair

If the prick test does not demonstrate a significant reaction to the suspected allergens, an intradermal test is performed, which uses a stronger concentration of the allergen injected slightly deeper under the skin of the arm with a very small needle. This test will often reveal allergies that the prick test was unable to detect.

The third type of test an allergist may perform is a blood test, known as a RAST (radioallergosorbent) test. Allergy testing through the blood is more commonly performed when skin tests can’t be properly done; this includes very young children, patients taking certain medications, or patients who have certain skin conditions that might interfere with the skin test.

Though blood tests can accurately predict allergies, the drawbacks of drawing blood are that the results are not immediately available and blood testing generally costs more than the skin test, especially if large amounts of allergens are being tested.

Additional tests that can be performed include:

– Challenge testing
– Elimination then Challenge testing
– Patch testing

Genetics plays an important role in the symptoms and severity of a person’s allergic reaction as does the amount of allergen the person has been exposed to. Reactions or symptoms of an allergy can range from mild to very severe to possibly life-threatening, and it all depends on the substance involved. Different allergic reactions manifest in different areas of the body and can affect sinuses, nasal passages, airways, lungs, mouth, lips and throat, skin, face, eyes, or the digestive system. These areas can experience itching, swelling, hives, wheezing or difficulty in breathing, cough or chest congestion, tingling in the mouth, or watery and itchy eyes. An urgent, life-threatening allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis.

After determining what is causing your allergic reactions, your allergist will develop a treatment plan, which may include:

– Avoidance of the allergen – You will be shown steps to take to avoid the allergy triggers.
– Medications – These may help to reduce your immune system response and ease symptoms.
– Immunotherapy – Long-term treatment involving allergy shots to decrease allergy symptoms.
– Epinephrine – Used in case of an emergency reaction called anaphylaxis.

At the Allergy & Asthma Center in Atlanta, our team of highly trained and experienced physicians and allergy specialists take great pride in helping those in our community who suffer from allergies get back to breathing and living better.

When you visit The Allergy & Asthma Center for your initial consultation, our primary goal is to uncover the root cause of your symptoms so you can finally find relief. Your appointment will begin with a detailed conversation with Dr. Jon E. Stahlman, MD. We will review your medical history, discuss your specific symptoms, and learn how your environment in the metro Atlanta area impacts your daily life.

Next, we typically perform diagnostic testing to pinpoint your exact triggers. This often involves a gentle, virtually painless skin prick test that provides results in about 15 to 20 minutes, allowing us to immediately identify sensitivities to pollen, pet dander, mold, or certain foods.

Once we have your results, we will sit down together to review them in detail. You will leave our clinic with a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan tailored to your lifestyle. Whether it involves targeted allergen avoidance, customized medications, or immunotherapy (allergy shots), our experienced medical team is dedicated to helping you breathe easier and reclaim your quality of life. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 565 Old Norcross Rd. Lawrenceville, GA, 30046. We serve patients from Lawrenceville GA, Atlanta GA, Conyers GA, Scottdale GA, Tucker GA, Rock Chapel Rd GA, Klondike Rd GA, Suwanee GA, Moon Place Rd GA and Dacula GA.