Methods of Allergy Testing

Skin testing-Modified Quantitative Testing- (IN VIVO) This technique is performed on patient’s upper and lower arms. Prick testing is performed on the forearms and intradermal injections are used on the upper arms. We offer emla cream to our patients to ease the mild discomfort that can be associated with intradermal testing. This form of allergy testing cannot be performed if a patient is taking beta blocker therapy (See list below). Most antihistamines, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, and reflux medication will need to be discontinued temporarily prior to allergy testing (See recommendations for medications to avoid for allergy testing). Skin testing is contraindicated in pregnancy.

Blood Test- Radioallergosorbent testing (RAST)- (IN VITRO) This technique is a blood draw and can be done for both inhalant and food allergies. There are no medication restrictions with this test.

BETA BLOCKING MEDICATIONS- An individual cannot be currently treated with any of the following medications during allergy testing or injection immunotherapy (allergy shots). Band name (generic name)

• Inderal, Inderide LA (Propranolol)
• Tenormin, Tenoretic (Atenolol)
• AK-Beta, Betagan (Levobunolol)
• Betapace (Sotalol)
• Betimol, Ocumeter (Timolol)
• Betaoptic (Bextaxolol)
• Blocarden, Timolide, Timoptic (Timolol maleate)
• Brevibloc (Esmolol)
• Cartrol filmtab (Carteolol)
• Coreg (Nadolol)
• Kerlone (Betaxolol)
• Lopressor HCT, Toprol-XL (Metroprolol)
• Normadyne, Trandate (Labetalol)
• Sectral (Acebutolol)