Discovering that you are allergic to an airborne allergen in Texas or have a food allergy can be disheartening if not scary event in one’s life. We understand that and have been providing allergy education, testing, and treatment in Temple, Texas and Harker Heights, Texas for over 30 years.
You may have seen pictures or heard about allergy tests which require a skin prick or scratch. Without all of the proper information, that too can sound scary and even prevents many from starting a conversation about how to find relief for their allergies.
There are generally three approaches to allergy testing at Dr. Long’s Temple, Texas Allergy Clinic:
- Allergy scratch test, skin prick test, or puncture test
- Allergy blood test (or RAST test)
- Nutrition or food challenge
What is an allergy scratch test, skin prick test, or puncture test?
A skin prick test, also called a puncture or scratch test, checks for immediate allergic reactions to as many as 70 different substances at once. This test is usually done to identify allergies to pollen, mold, pet dander, dust mites, and/or food.
This allergy test is done in our Temple, Texas or Harker Heights, Texas Allergy Clinic and the test is administered on the forearm or back. It requires a small, non-painful scratch to see which substances/elements the body reacts to.
Allergy tests like this are done to diagnose allergic conditions in Texas, including:
- Allergic asthma
- Hay fever (allergic rhinitis)
- Dermatitis (eczema)
- Food allergies
- Bee venom allergy
- Latex allergy
Skin tests are generally safe and used for both adults and children of all ages, including infants. However, there are circumstances where a skin test is not recommended. In this case, Dr. Long may advise against skin testing if you have had any of the following:
- Have known skin conditions
- Take medications that are known to have adverse effects during allergy testing
- Are experiencing serious allergic reactions
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with our allergy clinic, feel free to give us a call, today:
Temple Texas Allergy Clinic: 254-773-8916
Harker Heights Allergy Clinic: (254) 432-5945
What does an allergy blood test or RAST test in Temple, Texas consist of?
In many cases, an allergy skin test is more reliable than a blood test, but there are certain cases and conditions where a blood or RAST allergy test might be preferred.
RAST or blood testing for allergies can be very effective in determining if a person has an egg allergy and whether they are allergic to egg white or just the yolk.
A blood test or RAST allergy test will be ordered based on Dr. Long’s assessment of your personal allergy condition.
To determine whether an allergy blood test is right for you, please schedule an appointment with our allergy clinic:
Temple Texas Allergy Clinic: 254-773-8916
Harker Heights Allergy Clinic: (254) 432-5945
What is an allergy food challenge?
From time to time, it may be necessary for you to actually consume a small amount of food in Dr. Long’s allergy clinic office and under the supervision of a medical professional to determine the proper treatment required for long-term relief.
During a food challenge, you would eat small amounts of a particular food or allergen, increasing the amount you consume gradually over time to verify your body’s tolerance and determine whether there are any adverse reactions.
It is imperative to do this only under professional medical supervision, as certain foods may trigger an unpleasant experience or result in the need to administer an epinephrine shot.
More than 50 million people suffer from allergies in the United States and over 230 million worldwide. If you’re beginning to notice adverse reactions to food, airborne allergens, or other uncomfortable or irregular symptoms, please give our allergy clinic a call to discuss your options for testing, treatment, and long-term allergy relief.
Temple Texas Allergy Clinic: 254-773-8916
Harker Heights Allergy Clinic: (254) 432-5945