Allergy testing and food sensitivity tests are powerful tools for fostering a healthy body
What does an allergy test do?
Allergy tests measure your body’s response to specific allergy triggers or allergens. If you have an allergy, your immune system overreacts. It produces antibodies (proteins) called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies trigger the release of chemicals that cause an allergic reaction.
Allergy tests measure your body’s response to specific allergy triggers or allergens. If you have an allergy, your immune system overreacts. It produces antibodies (proteins) called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies trigger the release of chemicals that cause an allergic reaction.
What We Offer
The team at AFC offer various tests to reveal nutritional deficiencies or allergies in patients that may contribute to indigestion, malaise, and chronic inflammation. In order to elucidate possible allergens, we use a wellness panel that identifies several common factors that are not usually requested for routine labs. We also provide allergy testing for environmental and food triggers that contribute to musculoskeletal and neurological hypersensitivity. Once the testing is complete and we have a full understanding of what is making your allergies flare up, we will use a combination of therapies to relieve your symptoms and change your life. allergy testing, allergy treatment, allergy clinic, allergy specialist, allergy relief, allergy doctor, allergy care, allergy services, allergy diagnosis, allergy solutions, allergy management, allergy relief center, allergy treatment center, allergy testing surprise AZ, allergy treatment surprise AZ, allergy clinic surprise AZ, allergy specialist surprise AZ, allergy relief surprise AZ, allergy doctor surprise AZ, allergy care surprise AZ, allergy services surprise AZ, allergy diagnosis surprise AZ, allergy solutions surprise AZ, allergy management surprise AZ, allergy relief center surprise AZ, allergy treatment center surprise AZ
- Food Allergy Testing & Food Sensitivity Tests
Food allergies are caused by the immune system identifying a certain food as a threat. This triggers an immune response, which can manifest in several different ways: the throat swells, sometimes the inner cheeks tingle and feel ticklish or numb, sometimes the skin breaks out in hives.
Sometimes the symptoms don’t occur until after the food has reached the digestive system, especially in the case of food sensitivities. Symptoms generally occur between 15 minutes and several hours after eating, and include one or more of these digestive issues: upset stomach, aching intestines, bloating or congestion, diarrhea, and nausea.
The trouble with identifying the cause of a food allergy or sensitivity is that people generally eat multiple foods fixed together--it could be the shellfish, or the milk in the sauce, or the herb used as a garnish. The best way to find out the cause is to visit a local allergist for an allergy test.
If you or a loved one are experience frequent, uncomfortable symptoms from allergies, schedule an appointment with us today. Through a combination of testing, immunotherapy and nutrition guidance, we will get to the root of your problem and change your life!
- Seasonal Allergy Testing
What are the types of allergy tests?
There are different ways to test for allergies. Your healthcare provider will select the best method based on your symptoms and the suspected allergens.
These tests include:
There are different ways to test for allergies. Your healthcare provider will select the best method based on your symptoms and the suspected allergens.
These tests include:
- Skin prick (scratch) test: Your provider uses a thin needle to prick the skin on your forearm or back with 10 to 50 different potential allergens. Or your provider may place droplets of potential allergens onto your skin and use a device to scratch and lightly puncture the area, causing the liquid to enter your skin. Reactions such as redness typically occur within 15 minutes of exposure. Your reaction might be a rash or raised, round spots called wheals. This test checks for airborne allergies, food allergies and penicillin allergies.
- Intradermal skin test: You may get an intradermal skin test if skin prick test results are negative or inconclusive. Your provider injects small amounts of the allergen into the outer layer of your skin (epidermis). This test checks for allergies to airborne irritants, medications and insect stings.
- Patch test: This test determines the cause of contact dermatitis. Your provider places drops of an allergen onto the skin on your arm and covers the area with a bandage. Or your provider may apply a patch (bandage) that has the allergen on it. You leave the bandage on and return to the provider’s office within 48 to 96 hours. Then, your provider removes the bandage to check your skin for a rash or other reaction.
- Blood (IgE) test: Your provider sends a sample of your blood to a lab. The lab adds allergens to the blood sample and measures the levels of IgE antibodies in it. Blood tests can have a higher rate of false-positive results.
- Challenge tests: This test occurs only under a provider’s direct, in-person supervision. People with suspected food or drug allergies ingest (swallow) a small amount of an allergen. An allergist, a doctor who specializes in allergies, typically performs this test. Medical supervision is a must. If you develop anaphylaxis, the provider quickly gives an epinephrine injection to stop the reaction.
How should I prepare for an allergy test?
Your healthcare provider will ask you to stop taking allergy medications like antihistamines three to seven days before an allergy test. These medicines can interfere with test results by stopping your immune system’s response to allergens. You should continue to take asthma medication.
What should I expect during an allergy test?
The purpose of skin tests is to see how your body responds to allergens. If you have an allergic reaction, you’ll develop a reaction at the site of the test. Rarely patients may have mild allergy symptoms such as itchy skin, watery eyes and congestion. Most symptoms clear up in one to two hours after the test, the redness or wheals may remain for several more hours.
What happens if I have a Positive Result to Allergies?
Depending on the allergy, your healthcare provider may recommend allergy shots, Carry an epinephrine injection (EpiPen), Have a medical alert card, or medication.
Your healthcare provider will ask you to stop taking allergy medications like antihistamines three to seven days before an allergy test. These medicines can interfere with test results by stopping your immune system’s response to allergens. You should continue to take asthma medication.
What should I expect during an allergy test?
The purpose of skin tests is to see how your body responds to allergens. If you have an allergic reaction, you’ll develop a reaction at the site of the test. Rarely patients may have mild allergy symptoms such as itchy skin, watery eyes and congestion. Most symptoms clear up in one to two hours after the test, the redness or wheals may remain for several more hours.
What happens if I have a Positive Result to Allergies?
Depending on the allergy, your healthcare provider may recommend allergy shots, Carry an epinephrine injection (EpiPen), Have a medical alert card, or medication.
Contact us for the office closest to you to schedule an appointment today.
