Allergy Testing

Allergy testing begins by pricking the skin with preloaded doses of antigens, pollens, dust, molds, etc., to get a quick idea which substances cause the most severe response. The allergy specialist then injects the substances that caused the strongest response under the skin in progressively stronger concentrations. The patient’s skin reaction shows how allergic he or she is to a particular substance. The physician then uses the patient’s sensitivity level to determine a safe dosage strength if allergy injections or oral treatments are necessary.