Allergy Testing
- Sisselman Medical Group -
Over 50 million people in the United States have allergies. Allergy testing identifies the specific substances that trigger allergic reactions. These tests are performed under the guidance of a specialist trained in the proper testing methods and in treating the allergies that are discovered. Sisselman Medical Group provides allergy testing at both of our locations: Massapequa and Commack.
Symptoms for Allergy Testing
Skin rashes when coming into contact with substances, hives, asthma and hay fever that are not controlled with medicine, food allergies, molds, pollen, dust mites, insect stings, animal dander, foods and some medicines.
Skin Prick Test for Allergies
Small amounts of substances that may be the allergy cause are placed on the skin of the back, upper arm or forearm. The skin is pricked or scratched to make the allergen go under the skin's surface.
Patch testing for allergies
Possible allergens are taped to the skin for 48 hours in an attempt to diagnose the cause of skin reactions.
Allergy testing through blood tests
This method is used for babies and young children when a single needle stick is preferred, when a patient cannot stop taking a medicine that could interfere with skin testing, the patient suffers from a severe skin condition such as psoriasis or eczema, or when testing with a strong allergen might cause a large positive reaction. Blood testing costs more than skin tests, but a "plus" is that only a single needle prick is needed.
How Long to Get Allergy Test Results
- Results of the skin prick test are usually seen within 15 to 20 minutes. Your physician at Sisselman Medical Group closely watches the skin for redness or swelling or other signs of a reaction.
- The patch test takes 72 to 96 hours.
- Because a blood sample must be sent to a lab for testing, that takes a number of days.
- Negative allergy tests results means there were no skin changes and most often means that a person is not allergic to the substances.
- A positive result with a red and raised area means there was a reaction to one or more substances.
All test results must be interpreted along with the patient's medical history, and the tester will discuss ways to avoid those items that cause the symptoms.
To find out more about allergy testing at either of our Massapequa or Commack locations, contact Sisselman Medical Group today.
