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 the most sensitive and cost-effective method for detecting IgE-mediated allergies.
Who Should Consider Allergy Skin Testing?
Skin testing may be right for you if you experience any of the following:
- 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 drug allergies
- Hives or angioedema of unknown cause
How We Diagnose
Our allergists review all current medications prior to testing, as certain antihistamines and other drugs 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 animals most prevalent in the Bay Area and Northern California.
Treatment Options
Skin test results guide your entire allergy treatment plan. A positive test may lead to personalized allergen avoidance advice, pharmacotherapy tailored to your specific sensitivities, and allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots or sublingual therapy) using extracts matched precisely to your positive allergens. Accurate testing means more effective, more efficient treatment.
Ready to Schedule?
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. Call us at (408) 286-1707 or request an appointment online.