Allergy Testing In Lake Jackson, TX
Dr. Kimi Dart
If you experience persistent allergy symptoms that are not adequately controlled with medications, Dr. Kimi Dart may recommend allergy testing to identify the specific allergens triggering your symptoms. Allergy testing is one of the most effective tools for diagnosing environmental allergies and developing a personalized treatment plan to help you find long-term relief.
At our Lake Jackson, Texas allergy practice, we perform allergy testing using a panel specifically selected for the most common allergens found throughout the Gulf Coast region. Testing may include allergens such as tree pollen, grass pollen, weeds, mold spores, dust mites, pet dander, and other environmental allergens that frequently affect patients in the Lake Jackson area.
The results of your allergy test help Dr. Dart determine which allergens are contributing to your symptoms and guide recommendations for allergen avoidance, medications, or allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots or drops) when appropriate. By identifying your individual allergy triggers, we can develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
While allergy testing is highly effective, it is important to understand that no allergy test is perfect. A positive test result indicates that your immune system is sensitized to a particular allergen, but it does not always mean you will experience noticeable symptoms whenever you are exposed. Likewise, allergy testing does not evaluate every possible irritant that may affect your nose, eyes, or airways.
Certain substances—including fragrances, perfumes, cigarette smoke, cleaning products, air pollution, and other chemical irritants—cannot be detected through traditional allergy testing. Although these irritants are not true allergies, they can still trigger significant nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, or other allergy-like symptoms in many patients.
By combining your medical history, symptom patterns, physical examination, and allergy test results, Dr. Kimi Dart can accurately identify the causes of your symptoms and recommend the most effective treatment options to help you breathe easier and improve your quality of life.
Allergy Testing Frequently Asked Questions
We test adults and children starting at the age of 5 based on individual tolerance. Younger children or those that may not tolerate testing may qualify for allergy blood tests done at a lab or local hospital.
Testing is performed on the skin by applying a plastic applicator coated with a small amount of allergen. Depending on levels of sensitivity indicated by redness, swelling and possible itching, a second titration study is performed to determine dosing for immunotherapy treatment. This is completed by injecting a bit of reactive allergen into the skin of the arm or forearm. Injection is performed with a very small needle and usually causes little to no pain. Occasionally some itching or burning may result based on your sensitivity to the allergen. 15 to 20 minutes after application, results are interpreted through measurements of swelling and redness. Areas of itching are treated with topical hydrocortisone. The entire process may take up to one hour depending on the number of sensitivities.
Certain allergy medicines, reflux medications, and blood pressure medications may interfere with skin test results. A list of specific medications and when to stop them prior to the test can be found in the link below. Usually, medications may have to be stopped a few days to a week prior to the test date. It is necessary to stop these medications before testing so that results are as accurate as possible. Medications may be resumed immediately after testing.
Allergy blood tests can be quite expensive. Despite this, blood tests may be offered to people who may not be good candidates for skin testing. Allergy blood tests may be offered for young children who are unable to tolerate skin testing, for individuals that may have active skin disease or who are unable to stop certain medications that would interfere with skin test results. We also can do lymphocyte reaction assay testing for delayed food allergies which are quite common and can worsen symptoms, especially if the patient has concomitant inhalant allergies.
The most common side effect of allergy skin testing is itching, burning, redness or swelling at the testing site. Very rarely, a more serious reaction may occur such as shortness of breath or changes in blood pressure. This is why allergy testing is performed in a physician’s office well equipped to identify and treat more significant symptoms that may develop.