Allergies are a common, long-term condition that involves your immune system’s inflammatory response either in your skin, airway or GI track. Your immune system makes antibodies to fight off invaders such as viruses, bacteria, and other toxins that can make you very sick. With allergies, your immune system “mistakenly” treats one or more harmless substances, such as pollen, dust or peanuts, as a threat. To fight the “threat,” your immune system makes IgE antibodies which triggers massive inflammation. This is what causes your allergy symptoms.
Blood Testing
An allergy blood test measures a substance called immunoglobulin E (IgE) in your blood. IgE is an antibody that your immune system makes to fight off pathogens. If you have allergies, your blood IgE level will be higher than normal. The test is done on the serum extracted from a single tube of blood.
Skin Testing
A comb-like device gently pricks or abrades your skin’s surface. After the test is performed, it takes about 15 minutes to develop. A positive test will appear as a raised, red bump on the skin, similar to a mosquito bite. The test takes approximately 30 minutes to administer and 15 minutes to register the results
Who can be tested?
Adults and children over the age of two years can be tested for allergies. This is especially helpful for patients who suffer with allergic asthma, allergic pneumonitis, conjunctivitis, undiagnosed cough, atopic dermatitis (skin irritation or eczema), rhinitis (runny nose), sinusitis, allergic urticaria (hives), and angioedema (similar to hives but beneath the skin).
Which Allergens will you be tested for?
You will be tested for the most frequent seasonal and perennial allergens in your area.
- Dust mites
- Proteins
- Pet hair and dander
- Trees, grass and weed pollens
- Molds
- Cockroach
We are able to test and treat over 400+ FOOD & ENVIRONMENTAL ALLERGIES; including stinging insects.
Allergy Treatment Options?
Shots, Drops or Toothpaste?
Also known as Immunotherapy, the allergy shots or sublingual drops are a form of treatment aimed at decreasing your sensitivity to substances called allergens. Immunotherapy involves introducing increasing amounts of an allergen you over an extended period of time. We also have Oral Mucosal ImmunoTherapy (OMIT; aka toothpaste treatment)
Benefits of Allergy testing and immunotheraphy
One in five people suffer from symptomatic allergies. These symptoms can vary greatly from minor discomfort to severe disability. The cost of un-treated allergies can be significant when factoring in lost productivity and days off from work or school. The goal of immunotherapy is to decrease or eliminate your allergy symptoms.
The initial full course of immunotherapy is one to three years, but symptom relief can and often occurs within the first few months of therapy. Completing three to five years of therapy has shown long-term benefits.
Allergens are selected based on an assessment by your physician and also your reaction to specific seasonal and perennial allergens that you have been tested for.
We recommend the full treatment, even if you are just having allergy symptoms within spring and summer, as limiting your immunotherapy does not give your immune system time to adapt to allergens which cause you to have symptoms.
Most insurance plans cover allergy testing and immunotherapy!
We will verify insurance benefits prior to testing.
What if I'm taking Antihistamines?
You should discontinue any antihistamines for at least three days or longer, depending on the medication, prior to allergy testing to achieve the most accurate results. You may safely resume the use of antihistamines after your test, and you may continue them once you begin immunotherapy.
Contact Us
Living with allergies can be a daily struggle while trying to cope with your symptoms. Immunotherapy offers relief to patients. If you are suffering from any allergies, reach out to the professionals here at Angelic Lift to learn more about our allergy testing and immunotherapy. Contact us today and schedule your consultation towards an improved quality of life!
Our offices are open Monday thru Saturday 9 am to 5 pm.