If you have had symptoms that indicated an allergic reaction to something in the past, or if there are other reasons to suspect that you could be allergic to something, our doctor may elect to do some allergy testing. The purpose of this is to pinpoint exactly what it is that you may be allergic to as well as determine if an allergy actually exists.
Symptoms of allergies include, but are not limited to, things like puffy eyes, a runny nose, swelling, hives, difficulty breathing or skin irritations. Some allergies can be very dangerous and even life-threatening. Bee stings and peanut allergies, especially in children, are two examples.
If our doctor determines that you need allergy testing, he will order a skin test. Skin tests are by far the most common type of allergy testing. When a skin test is to be conducted, it will be by one of three methods; a skin prick test, an intradermal test or a patch test may be used. At Pinnacle Dermatology, we do not use needles in our allergy testing.
During an allergy test at our office in Birmingham, small amounts of the suspected allergens are put on a piece of tape that is then placed on the skin. It will normally be left on for 48 to 72 hours, after which the skin is observed for reactions. It should be noted that we do not test for food allergies.
Our tests check for allergies to common substances, such as jewelry, clothing and cosmetics. Our experts look for symptoms like stinging, burning, hives, a rash and much more. Some symptoms appear immediately after the suspected allergen comes in contact with the skin. Others may take hours or even weeks to appear. Each person is unique and has a different reaction to each substance.
Pinnacle Dermatology does not just stop at allergy testing. We offer a wide variety of treatment options for many different types of allergies. Each treatment plan depends on the specific case.
If you think you may be suffering from allergies and would like to either confirm or rule them out, you should consider allergy testing at Pinnacle Dermatology. This is also the right time to ask any specific questions you may have. After determining your allergies, our team of experts can come up with a treatment plan that is right for you. Our office is located in Birmingham. Contact us today to schedule your consultation to learn more about how allergy testing can help you.
