While over the counter medication can provide some level of relief, finding the source of the allergies through allergy testing can provide a long term and effective alleviation of symptoms. As a result, a patient can reduce or eliminate the amount of medications taken.
A simple blood draw can test for a number of allergens. Recent technological advances have increased the accuracy of blood tests (versus the traditional Skin Prick Test). Through a blood test we measure the IgE (Immunoglobulin E) levels to specific allergens.
Blood testing helps determine a score which reflects the patient’s IgE levels. When combined with the patient’s symptom history, we determine the patient’s susceptibility to certain allergens. Blood testing provides a quantifiable number which reduces the subjectivity that may occur with Skin Prick testing. Additionally the patient does not have to expose the body to allergens as in Skin Prick testing.