Allergy Testing

Allergies are an annoyance that many people across the country live with, and the condition can become especially burdensome during the warmer months when common allergens are more likely to be in the air. Some of these common allergens include mold, ragweed pollen, and grass. Oftentimes, these allergens cause such symptoms as sneezing and watery eyes, meaning a simple family picnic at a Phoenix park can turn into an uncomfortable ordeal. Then there are more serious allergies that can actually turn a relaxed situation into a dire emergency, especially for those allergic to stinging bugs and certain foods. But how can you tell if you’re allergic to something?

Fortunately, the experienced team of physicians and healthcare professionals at Best Healthcare of Arizona specializes in diagnosing patients with allergies by running a variety of tests. Finding out you’re allergic to something is the first step toward keeping yourself safe. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing tests that can determine what doesn’t and does cause your symptoms. Allergy testing takes the guesswork out of trying to figure out what’s causing your itchy eyes or constant sneezing. Knowing exactly what you’re allergic to can make it easier for our Phoenix, Arizona, team to develop a treatment plan designed to either reduce or do away with your allergy symptoms altogether.

When Is a Good Time to be Tested?

Our team in Phoenix, AZ, understands it can often be difficult to know if it’s allergies or something else causing a scratchy throat. In fact, it’s common for many people to ignore some of the nagging symptoms and just allow the discomfort to become part of their daily lives. However, if you’re tired of living with the symptoms associated with allergies, give our office a call to schedule a consultation. Some of the annoying symptoms to look out for include the following:

• Itchy Nose, Throat, and Eyes
• Watery Eyes
• Nasal Congestion
• Runny Nose
• Hives or Itchiness
• Abdominal Pain Shortly After Consuming Certain Foods or Drinks
• Reactions to Insect Bites or Stings

We Offer a Variety of Allergy Tests

If you think you might have an allergy to something but don’t know what, count on our skilled Phoenix professionals to solve the puzzle. We pride ourselves on being able to offer a variety of allergy tests to help determine to exact cause of our patients’ symptoms. One of the most common types of allergy tests we offer is skin tests. These are conducted by placing a small amount of a common allergen on a patient’s skin, which is then scratched or pricked. If the patient is allergic to the allergen, swelling will occur at and around the test site.

A more sensitive type of test is the intradermal test. This type of test is performed when a skin test returns inconclusive results. During an intradermal test, one of our trained professionals will inject some allergens beneath a patient’s skin with a syringe.

Then there are challenge tests. These are performed when it’s suspected that a patient might be allergic to a particular type of drug or food. During the test, patients ingest or inhale small amounts of potential allergens. Due to the potential for severe reactions, this test should always be performed under the supervision of one of our Phoenix, Arizona, doctors. Lastly, there are blood tests. These are more costly than other tests and are conducted by taking a blood sample and testing for allergies.

If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms similar to the ones listed above, give our Phoenix, AZ, office a call to schedule a meeting with our doctors. You don’t have to live with unpleasant symptoms, such as scratchy eyes or a runny nose. Get tested today so we can work together to develop a treatment plan that works for you.