What is allergy skin testing?

Allergy skin testing is a method to find out what you are allergic to. It is generally the best way to discover your allergies. Skin tests are done either by scratch/prick tests or intradermal tests. In scratch/prick tests, gentle pricks are made with disposable plastic prongs through drops of allergen extract on the skin of your back. In intradermal tests, small amounts of allergen extracts are injected into the skin of your upper arm.

If you are allergic, a slight swelling, itching and reddening of the skin will occur. Our staff will record the severity of the reaction. The allergic reaction from skin testing will generally subside after a short period of time. The information from the skin testing helps your doctor to determine the cause of your allergies.

Antihistamines and other medications with antihistamine-like effects will interfere with skin testing. Please stop taking the following medicines 2-7 days before skin testing:

• Antihistamine tablets, capsules, or liquids, with or without decongestants
• Astelin nasal spray
• Antidepressant medications called "tricyclic antidepressants"
• Over the counter allergy medicines, cold or cough remedies
• Over the counter sleeping aids, as they usually contain an antihistamine

Please stop certain medications before skin testing (see below)

To give specific examples, Benadryl needs to be stopped 2 days before skin testing, Astelin 2 days, Zyrtec 2 days, Allegra 5 days, Claritin 7 days and Clarinex 7 days before skin testing.

Nasal sprays such as Atrovent, Flonase, Nasocort AQ, Nasonex, and Rhinocort Aqua do not interfere with skin testing and may be taken up to the time of skin testing. The only nasal spray that must be stopped before skin testing is Astelin (see above).

Inhaled medications for treating asthma such as albuterol, Advair, Flovent, Qvar, Pulmicort, and Xopenex as well as oral tablets prednisone and Singulair do not interfere with skin testing and may be taken up to the time of your office visit for skin testing.

If you have a question about which medications need to be stopped, and for how long they should be stopped before skin testing, please call our friendly staff at 408-286-1707.