At Lebow Dermatology we are now offering our patients on-site allergy and skin patch testing. Allergies are extremely common, over 50 million people in the US alone suffer from nasal allergies specifically. With numbers up to 30% of the population being affected by seasonal allergies. Truthfully allergens affect us all, to varying degrees. However, for those who are fully allergic to certain airborne items or household dusts, molds or debris.
Skin Prick Allergy Testing
In order to gauge your allergies,we administer skin tests that generally take about 20-40 minutes in total, depending on the number of reactions we are testing for.
You will be pricked or scratched with a small amount of the allergen and we mark down the area in which you are pricked. The skin is then tested for its reaction to the allergens and based on the results we will.
Skin Prick tests are generally used to diagnose allergies to:
- Hay Fever
- Dust mites
- Grass
- Pollens
- Cat dander
- Animal Furs
Patch Testing
Patch testing is a more advanced allergy test. We apply patches containing groups of labeled allergens, and wait for their reactions on the skin’s surface. After some time, generally 48 to 96 hours after, the areas are marked as:
- Negative
- Irritant Reaction
- Equivocal or Uncertain
- Weak Positive
- Strong Positive
- Extreme Reaction
Judging by the severity of the reactions and the resulting impressions.
After The Test
We will have a clear understanding of what your reactions will be to certain allergens and we can then recommend a course for treatment.
