Allergy Testing

How Allergies affect your Health?

Allergies (including food) are linked to your body’s immune system. The immune system is the body’s natural defense against foreign invaders such as viruses, bacteria and harmful poisons. When you have allergies or are intolerant to a food, you are continuously putting your immune system and digestive system under stress. This places a huge demand on energy reserves as the immune system and digestive/detoxification system repeatedly has to work harder to fight these challenging allergens or foods.
Reactions to allergens can sometimes produce inflammatory conditions and also mimic a whole range of chronic health problems as well as unexplained symptoms. The symptoms are often masked as headaches, fatigue and joint pains.

What are the Allergy Symptoms?

Symptoms of allergies occur when a sensitive person is

exposed to a normally harmless substance. A susceptible

person may develop hay fever, asthma, hives, giant

swelling, eczema, intestinal symptoms, or allergic shock.

Upon exposure, symptoms begin to occur due to the release 

of  histamine and other allergic chemicals from specialized

immune system cells at the site of exposure (eyes, nose,

throat, skin, lungs, etc.).

Substances capable of causing allergic symptoms are called "allergens." Although the tendency to develop symptoms is inherited, allergic symptoms may develop at any age, depending on the frequency and quantity of exposure. Many people develop allergic problems after living in west Texas for a period of time. The mild climate cause high levels of pollens and molds throughout much of the year. Cedar pollen from December through February may be especially severe.

Allergy triggers: Allergens

There are a tremendous variety of allergens that may cause symptoms in a sensitive person.

  Allergens can be divided into three basic groups:

  INHALANTS   (pollens, house dust, animal dander, mold)

  INGESTANTS  (foods, beverages, drugs)

  INJECTED SUBSTANCES (drugs, vaccines,insect venoms)

Note: Other factors may trigger or worsen allergic symptoms, including infections, changes in weather, emotional factors, or exposure to irritants (tobacco smoke, pollutants, etc.).

What can I do about my Allergies?

There are three fundamental ways of treating allergic persons:

AVOIDANCE: If allergens can be completely avoided, no symptoms will occur. Unfortunately, most allergens are impossible to avoid completely. Avoidance measures are most practical for indoor allergens such as pets and house dust mites and for food and drug allergy.

MEDICATION: Many medications are available for controlling allergic symptoms. Prescription nasal sprays, lung inhalers, and oral medications may temporarily relieve symptoms. Unfortunately, medications may have side effects and do not affect the underlying allergic sensitivity. Symptoms may recur when medications are stopped.

ALLERGY INJECTIONS OR SUBLINGUAL DROPS (Immunotherapy)

The administration of increasingly stronger concentrations of specific allergens can lead to a gradual reduction in allergic symptoms. After several months, most people taking drops or shots feel better and need less medication. A 3 to 5 year course of such treatment often results in reduced symptoms for years and can almost eliminate the possibility of life-threatening reactions in people allergic to bee or fire ant stings. Allergy drops or shots improve inhalant and bee sting allergy, but are not effective for food or drug allergic reactions.

What kind of Allergies do we have in West Texas?

West Texas is unique in having 3 distinct pollen seasons.

In the Fall, ragweed and other weeds release pollen from mid August to early November. This season is much longer than in other parts of the country.

In the Spring, Oak and other trees like Ash, Elm and Pecan pollinate from February to early June.

In the Summer: Grasses pollinate from March through September. The hot, dry, summer weather often kills off much of the grass, so some years there is very little pollen in July and early August.
In the Winter, Mountain Cedar pollen season extends from December to February, and is unique to West/Central Texas.

Cedar pollen counts in Central Texas are the highest pollen counts

of any plant anywhere in the world.

Cedar allergy, referred to as "cedar fever," can be intense and debilitating. On days of very high pollen counts many cedar allergic people can't go outdoors without experiencing severe symptoms. Some people must miss work or school, and can't get good control of their symptoms despite taking lots of medication.

How do we test for Allergies?

Skin Allergy Tests
Skin allergy testing is the most sensitive and accurate way to diagnose the cause of allergies. Skin tests are accurate for sensitivity to pollens, molds, pet dander, dust, feathers, cockroach, foods and the venoms of stinging insects like wasps and fire ants.

   Solutions are extracted in a laboratory from an allergen

  (a substance which may cause an allergic reaction). The

   solution is then pricked into the skin. Reactions occur

   within 15 minutes. Itching, redness, and swelling at the

   skin test site indicate a positive reaction.

Using the procedures in our office most people do not find allergy skin testing painful. We are usually able to test even young children without significant discomfort.

Prick Skin Tests
These tests may be done on the back or forearm. The area is cleaned with alcohol and marks are made on the skin with a pen to identify the various allergens. A small plastic device with a sharp points is dipped into an allergen solution and used to make a tiny pricks of the skin. A separate prick is made for each allergen. Swelling and redness at each prick site is measured in 15 minutes.

Post-treatment
We usually apply an anti-itch spray to the site of any positive reactions. Skin test reactions usually fade away within one to two hours. Most people feel fine after skin tests, and can return to work or school.

Results

Immediately after skin tests are completed you will meet with Dr. Rosinska to discuss the results and treatment plan. You will be provided with a sheet showing your test results. Skin testing and discussion of your results usually takes only 1-1.5 hour.

MEDICATIONS THAT INTERFERE WITH ALLERGY SKIN TESTING:

These medications interfere with allergy skin tests and SHOULD BE DISCONTINUED PRIOR TO TESTING:

Antihistamines:
Over the counter antihistamines and many cold medications (Benadryl, Chlortrimeton, etc.) and most prescription antihistamines (Allegra, Rynatan) should be stopped 5 days prior to testing.
Alavert,Claritin, Clarinex, loratadine, Zyrtec, Atarax (hydroxyzine) and doxepin should be stopped 7 days prior to skin testing.
The nasal antihistamine spray Astelin should be stopped 3 days prior to testing.
Antidepressants:
Older antidepressants like Elavil (amitryptyline) should be stopped 3 days prior to testing.
Newer antidepressants (Prozac, Zoloft, etc.) do not interfere with testing.
Beta blockers:
Patients on beta-blockers (Inderal, Lopressor, etc.) should not be skin tested.
Pregnancy:
Women should not be skin tested if they are or may be pregnant.

Most medications do not interfere with skin testing, and should be continued; DO NOT STOP:
Cortisone nasal sprays (Flonase, Nasonex, Nasacort AQ, Rhinocort, etc.)
Asthma medications (Albuterol, Flovent, Singulair, Advair, etc.)
Antibiotics
Eye drops for allergy (Patanol, Zaditor, etc.)
Decongestants (Sudafed, Prolex D, etc.)
Oral steroids (Prednisone, Medrol, Prelone, etc.)
Medicines for other conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, reflux, high blood pressure, birth control pills, etc.

Blood Tests

Allergy blood tests can also be used to detect sensitivities. Blood allergy testing is most often done when a patient has extensive skin problems preventing skin allergy testing, or when a patient can not stop a medicine which may interfere with skin tests.

Blood allergy testing is generally more expensive and less sensitive than skin allergy testing and fewer allergens are available for blood testing. Usually, only one tube of blood is needed to do 30 or more tests. Test results are available in 1-2 weeks.

To schedule your Allergy Testing

please call 688-1900