Allergy Testing For Adults And Children from North Carolina Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat
Allergy Testing For Adults And Children from North Carolina Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat
North Carolina Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat offers allergy testing for adults and children and treatments so that you won’t miss a minute of life. This testing can diagnose a possible food allergy, a number of skin conditions, and other immune system conditions that can make life uncomofortable.
If not treated, some of these more severe conditions could lead to allergic reactions from a simple skin condition to some that can cause anaphylactic shock and/or could be potentially life threatening.
Of course it is possible that your symptoms are related to something as simple as a mosquito bite or presence of dust mites, but it is commonly better to be safe than sorry.
Your doctor's office may recommend allergy tests if you display allergy symptoms or possible warning signs, such as frequent watery eyes or asthma symptoms, or as a precaution based on family history or something identified during a routine physical examination.
Allergy Testing
Allergy testing can be performed on adults and children and can be done in two ways. Skin tests are usually done because they are rapid and more reliable than blood tests, but either type of test may be used.
Skin Test
A Skin Test small amount of a suspected allergen is placed on or below the skin to see if an allergic reaction develops.
Skin Prick (scratch) Test
This test is done by placing a drop of a solution containing a possible allergen on the skin, and a series of scratches or needle pricks allows the solution to enter the skin. If the skin develops a red, raised itchy area (most common of allergy symptoms) it usually means that the person is allergic to that allergen. The Skin Prick (scratch) Test is the most common test and is mostly used to o test for airborne allergies (such as pollen, dust, mold and pet dander) and food allergies.
Intradermal Test
During this test, a small amount of the allergen solution is injected into the skin. Intradermal allergy tests may be done when a substance does not cause a reaction in the skin prick test but is still suspected as an allergen for that person. The intradermal test is more sensitive than the skin prick test but is more often positive in people who do not have allergy symptoms to that allergen.
Blood Testing
Allergy blood testing looks for substances in the blood called antibodies. Blood tests are not as sensitive as skin tests but are often used for people who are not able to have skin tests.
Once your allergy testing results have come back, our ENT Doctors can recommend treatment methods.
Depending on the allergen, our Doctors may recommend immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots or sublingual drops. Avoidance of the allergy may also be recommended.
Sublingual Allergy Drops
Sublingual allergy drops, like allergy shots, are a form of immunotherapy. Unlike allergy shots, however, sublingual allergy drops are usually placed under the tongue.
These allergy drops are often referred to as “sublingual immunotherapy”. Sublingual drops are usually taken at home, as they are usually used several times in a week.
Avoidance
There are times when there may be no effective treatment methods for an allergy. When there is no sufficient treatment available, it is best to avoid the allergen altogether. Once your allergy test results have identified the specific things you are allergic to, you can then determine how best to avoid allergic reaction by avoiding the allergen altogether.
If a food allergy is diagnosed, this would involve eliminating the allergen from your diet. Many food allergies in children can be outgrown. Your doctor may recommend repeat testing at specific time intervals. With seasonal allergies, it might involve keeping your home’s windows and doors shut tight and using an allergen reducing air filter.
Pediatric Services Available From North Carolina Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat
At NCEENT, we take care of each child as if they were our own. By offering a wide range of pediatric services, including pediatric allergy care and immune system testing, our providers treat a vast number of common disorders, some where we will have answers in as little as 15 minutes!
