We provide the following services:

Testing for allergies

Environmental allergen and food allergen testing:
Testing for environmental allergies and foods can be performed relatively quickly and painlessly using a method called “scratch” testing. Essentially skin testing involves applying a small amount of an “extract” containing different allergens with plastic applicator. The skin is not broken during the testing procedure. Skin test reactions are measured after 15 – 20 minutes giving you a good idea about whether or not you are allergic to variety of different allergens. Positive reactions may itch, much like a mosquito bite, but usually any discomfort resolves in less than an hour.

It is important to tell your doctor or one of the nurses about any medications you may be taking before skin testing is performed as certain medications can interfere with the ability to perform this kind of testing. Antihistamines should be discontinued for a minimum of 10 days before testing is performed for accurate results.

Skin testing sometimes provides different information than blood testing and in some cases is more accurate than blood testing, although in some instances, especially when testing for food allergies, both types of testing may be needed.

Insect allergy testing:
Insect stings can be deadly and it is important to seek out an expert’s opinion if you or someone you know has had a possible allergic reaction to an insect.

Testing for insect allergy is slightly different than routine testing for environmental or food allergies. It is used primarily to confirm whether or not someone who has already had a reaction to a sting is truly allergic and to help find exactly what type of insect they are allergic to. The doctors at San Tan Allergy & Asthma can help you to determine whether testing is needed or not and what type of testing can be performed to identify a possible allergy to stinging insects.

Drug allergy testing:
For the most part, testing for allergies to medications cannot be performed with simple skin testing. Testing may involve blood work and in some cases a challenge test may help clarify whether or not an allergy exists.

Allergen immunotherapy:
At San Tan Allergy & Asthma, we offer allergy shots as a long-term treatment option for the management and potential cure of allergies.

Allergy shots have been an option for treating allergies since allergies were first described over 100 years ago. Allergy shots, also known as allergen immunotherapy (or “IT”), work by teaching your body to stop reacting in a negative way to the things that it may be allergic against. Allergen IT involves the injection of increasing doses of allergens under the skin in the back of the arm. When performed according to guidelines, it can be a very effective treatment for reducing allergy symptoms, working in about 80% of patients. Allergen IT is different from other treatment options in that it is a curative type of therapy that continues to work even after the treatment is stopped.

Read more about allergy shots here (coming soon)

Allergen immunotherapy consent form (coming soon)

Why not allergy drops?

Although there are some practices that offer allergy drops as a “cutting edge” type of treatment for allergies, the physicians at San Tan Allergy & Asthma have chosen not to offer this type of treatment as it is not FDA approved and there is very little evidence to suggest that it is any more effective than placebo at treating allergic conditions. Although there are studies ongoing to determine if sublingual allergen immunotherapy (administering increasing doses of allergen under the tongue to reduce a person’s allergic sensitivity), they generally involve much higher doses of allergen than are administered through allergen drops. In other countries, sublingual immunotherapy involves the administration of allergen tablets under the tongue. It seems to be most effective in patients who have only one or two allergies rather than multiple allergies.

To read more about allergy shots visit one of the links below:

www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/whatareallergyshots.stm

www.acaai.org/patients/resources/allergy-injections/Pages/allergy-injections.aspx

Lung function testing

At San Tan Allergy & Asthma we utilize two types of lung function tests to assist in determining the cause of different respiratory conditions.

The first type of test, called spirometry, allows us to measure the amount of air a person can get in and out of the lungs; this type of test is also called a lung function test. Most kids and adults over the age of 5 years are able to perform this type of test. Often, we will perform the test twice; once before the administration of a medication called albuterol and once afterwards to determine if lung function improves. This test can help us to determine if we need to be concerned about asthma or other types of lung disorders.

The second type of test, called exhaled nitric oxide measurement or eNO, allows us to determine if the breathing tubes inside your lungs are inflamed, which may be a sign of asthma. It specifically tells us whether you need a certain kind of medication to reduce the inflammation. It also allows us to determine if we can safely reduce asthma medications. Because eNO is a newer technology many insurances are not yet covering it. Fortunately, the cost is quite low and if it is felt to be necessary your provider will discuss the test further with you.

To read more about exhaled nitric oxide click on the link below:

www.aerocrine.com/en-us/Patients/

Patch Testing

Patch testing is a type of allergy test performed to determine if someone may have a delayed type of reaction to a chemical or in some cases to a food.

It is most effective at determining if someone may be having a skin reaction caused by a chemical such as a perfum or dye. It usually involves applying a standard series of tests to the skin (using a patch). The patch is left on the skin for 48 hours and any reactions are measured when the patch is removed. It sometimes requires multiple visits to read and interpret the tests. At San Tan Allergy & Asthma we use the T.R.U.E. test. To read more about this test visit the link:

www.truetest.com/commonallergens.aspx

In certain instances, such as when eosinophilic GI disease (EGID) is diagnosed, patch testing for foods may be necessary to help determine if a delayed type of allergic reaction may be causing an allergic reaction. The physicians at San Tan Allergy & Asthma offer this type of test as an additional measure to try and determine the cause of the allergic inflammation causing EGID.

Skin care

Coming soon…

Food challenges

Food allergies are often difficult to diagnose with blood testing or skin testing alone. In many instances, skin or blood testing may result in the “over-diagnosis” of food allergies. Some kids may actually outgrow their food allergies before their blood or skin tests become negative. Because skin tests and blood tests are imperfect the providers at San Tan Allergy & Asthma offer food challenge testing as an additional measure to definitively determine whether someone may be allergic to a food or not (or whether a food allergy may be outgrown).

A food challenge generally involves giving the patient very small amounts of the food that they are suspected of being allergic to. Gradually they are given increasing amounts of the food and monitored for any type of reaction.

To read more about food challenge testing, see our informational sheet. (coming soon)

Testing for drug allergies

We do offer evaluation and allergy testing (when necessary/possible) for certain medications including antibiotics, aspirin, and anesthetics. The doctor who sees you will determine whether testing is necessary and what type of testing can be performed to clarify whether or not you are allergic. Usually you will need to make an initial appointment to discuss the allergy and a separate appointment for testing, although this can depend on the circumstances of your reaction.