Should I Get Allergy Skin Testing?

Allergies can range from annoying (e.g., hay fever) to life-threatening (e.g., serious food allergies). Wherever you fall on that spectrum, you probably want to know what you can do to avoid anything that will trigger your symptoms.

That’s why Chad W. Mayer, DO, and our team offer allergy testing here at the Allergy and Asthma Institute of Southeast Michigan. With skin testing, Dr. Mayer can quickly and accurately identify the allergens that bother you. We offer this kind of testing right here at our office in Farmington Hills, Michigan. 

When to get allergy skin tests

There are a couple of things that might motivate you to get this kind of testing. 

You don’t know what’s causing your symptoms

A skin test gives you a highly useful way to find out what’s causing your symptoms. We might recommend it if you’ve been dealing with unexplained issues, such as:

• Coughing
• Headaches
• Hives
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Shortness of breath
• Sneezing
• Sore throat

With a skin test, Dr. Mayer can check to see if you have an allergic reaction to any of the following:

• Dust mites
• Foods
• Household chemicals
• Insect stings/bites
• Medications
• Molds
• Pet dander
• Pollens

Knowing what you’re allergic to is the first step in finding effective treatment. 

You can’t get your symptoms under control

Even if you know what’s behind your allergy symptoms, a skin test can be a useful tool. Dr. Mayer can use the information from your test to personalize a treatment plan for you. 

He might determine that one kind of allergy medication might be more effective than another, for example. Or he may recommend traditional immunotherapy (allergy shots) or injection-free sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). 

With detailed information about how your body responds to different allergens, Dr. Mayer can best develop an effective treatment plan for you. 

Finding the right skin allergy test for you

Dr. Mayer offers multiple types of skin allergy testing. Your options include:

• A skin prick test (we gently prick the allergen into your skin) 
• An intradermal test (we inject the allergen under your skin)
• A patch test (you wear a patch with the allergen for 48 hours)

Different tests have different uses. The skin prick test often works well for allergens like pet dander and pollen, for example. The patch test helps you determine if you’re allergic to contact allergens. Dr. Mayer can help you determine which one(s) might be best for you. 

If you’re living with unexplained symptoms or your allergy treatment isn’t giving you results, come see us. Call Allergy and Asthma Institute of Southeast Michigan to schedule an appointment today.