Allergy Skin Testing in the Bay Area
Allergy skin testing is the cornerstone of accurate allergy diagnosis. At South Bay Allergy and Asthma Group, our allergists use skin prick testing and intradermal testing to precisely identify the specific allergens causing your symptoms, enabling targeted treatment that goes far beyond guesswork or over-the-counter solutions.
Book AppointmentWhat Is Allergy Skin Testing?
Allergy skin testing works by introducing a tiny amount of a suspected allergen to the surface of the skin. If you are sensitized to that allergen, a small raised wheal (similar to a mosquito bite) forms at the test site within 15–20 minutes, indicating an IgE-mediated immune response. Skin testing is fast, minimally uncomfortable, and widely considered one of the most sensitive and cost-effective methods for detecting IgE-mediated allergies.
Common Signs & Symptoms
- Seasonal nasal and eye symptoms (hay fever)
- Year-round nasal congestion or sneezing
- Asthma suspected to have an allergic component
- Eczema with suspected food or environmental triggers
- Suspected food, insect, or medication allergies
- Hives or angioedema of unknown cause
How We Diagnose
Our allergists review all current medications prior to testing, as certain antihistamines and other medications must be discontinued beforehand. Testing panels are customized to your symptom history and geographic region. We test for the specific trees, grasses, weeds, molds, dust mites, and animal allergens most prevalent throughout the Bay Area and Northern California.
Treatment Options at South Bay Allergy
Skin test results guide your entire allergy treatment plan. A positive test may lead to personalized allergen avoidance recommendations, medication therapy tailored to your specific sensitivities, and allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots or sublingual immunotherapy) using extracts matched precisely to your positive allergens. Accurate testing leads to more effective and efficient treatment.
Schedule an Appointment
Get the answers you need with precise allergy skin testing at South Bay Allergy and Asthma Group. Request an appointment at any of our four Bay Area offices.
Book Appointment