Your First Visit & When You Are Tested for Allergies

The First Visit...

Your very first visit to our office will probably be a consultation.  This will include a visit with your doctor and a physical examination.  Some lab tests may be done.  Allow one to one and a half hours for this visit, including lab work.

You will be interviewed and examined by the doctor.  Your medical history will be reviewed -- including your allergy symptoms, general medical history and environmental history. Remember to list all medications you are taking: including eye drops, nasal sprays, and inhalers.

Depending on your history, a nasal smear, blood count, and other tests such as peak flow or pulmonary functions may be done.

Your doctor will use your history, physical exam and lab tests to determine what treatment is best for you.  This may include elimination of things you are allergic to, medication, and/or a recommendation for allergy testing.

What you need to bring:

• Insurance information
• Results of any previous allergy tests, sinus x-rays, chest x-rays or pulmonary function tests if you have them available
• Toys for your child to play with.

Click here for a printable version of our New Patient History sheet that you can fill out and bring with you to save time on your first visit.  Be sure to include any medications or food supplements that you are taking -- don't forget eye drops and skin creams.

When You Are Tested for Allergies...

When you are tested for allergies, your visit will take about two hours.  Please allow adequate time in your schedule when you make the appointment.

To prepare for your allergy testing:

• Stop taking any antihistamines for 48 hours before your visit
• DO continue to take any other medications prescribed by your family physician.
• Call the office if you have any questions about any medicine you are taking.
• Stop taking any oral steroids for 48 hours -- if you have had a long-acting steroid injection within the past 6 weeks, please inform the office when you schedule an appointment.
• Allergy testing is done on the back, so expect to take off your shirt during the test.  This may be followed by testing on your upper arm, so please wear short sleeves.
• If a child is being tested (or brought along), please feed them before coming to the office and bring toys they can play with. 

Typically, allergy testing is done with a prick test on the back, followed by skin tests on the arm or a blood test (Immunocap).

A blood count and nose smear will be done, and you may also be given a peak flow test.

After the testing is finished, your doctor will meet with you to review the test results and answer your questions.