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Patient Services
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Our management of inhalant (airborne) allergy involves Skin Endpoint Titration (intradermal skin testing) of 37 different dusts, pollens and molds most prevalent in this area, as well as cockroach, cat, dog and feathers. The test will take approximately 2 hours. We use the area on both arms between the shoulder and the elbow, and if you are “needle queasy” we will call in a prescription to your pharmacy for a numbing cream to use before you arrive for testing. A small amount of antigen is injected to make a “wheal”, which looks like a small blister. Ten minutes after the complete row of antigens is injected, the arm is checked for any reaction. A positive or negative reaction is determined by the change in the wheal size. By the end of the test you will know the test results, and all information – printed and verbal – will be discussed in detail. Treatment consists of weekly injections, which are initially administered in our office. Once the maintenance dose is reached, they may be continued in the office, be given at another medical facility, or you may be trained to administer them yourself. We also have sublingual drops which are placed under the tongue daily. These are great for children and patients who do not tolerate needles well. They are also ideal for patients with co-pays and those who travel any distance to our office. Sublingual drops are not covered by insurance. Provocative Neutralization Food Testing is done very much like skin endpoint titration. The seven “hidden” foods that are very prevalent in the average American diet are tested. These are: corn (the most commonly used sugar), egg, malt, milk, soy, wheat and yeast. A wheal is made with a food antigen and the patient observed for any change in condition. This may include headache, fatigue, congestion, cough and many others. If there is a reaction, weaker doses of the same antigen are given until the reaction has cleared. The food that provoked a reaction must be avoided for a certain amount of time in order to alleviate the symptoms. Nutritional counseling and diet modification will be discussed in detail. Once the food has been avoided for a period of time, sublingual food drops may be used periodically if the food is to be eaten. Chemicals are tested by putting drops of the chemical under the tongue and observing any reaction provoked, as with the food testing. If there is a positive reaction, weaker doses are administered sublingually until the reaction has cleared. As chemicals are difficult to avoid, they are treated with sublingual drops either on an as-needed basis or daily. The chemicals tested are alcohol, benzene, chlorine, formaldehyde, ethanol, phenol and glycerin. If you are taking a beta blocker for any reason we will not be able to test you. This includes some eye drops mainly used for glaucoma. You must discuss medication alternatives with your physician in order to be tested. We have a list of beta blockers in the office if you are not sure about the medication you are taking. If you are able to stop the beta blocker until after the testing, we have sublingual drops available for treatment. These may be used while taking the beta blocker. If you are pregnant or nursing you must wait until after the baby is born or until nursing is stopped before testing. We do not want to introduce something new into your system that may have an effect on the baby. We are always looking for ways to help make life easier for the allergy patient. We test ages five years and older in a patient friendly environment. You and/or your family member will be treated in a compassionate and caring way. Please call if you have any questions. 816-942-7200 ext.245/246 |
