Skin testing is a method to test for allergic antibodies. A test consists of introducing small amount of the suspected substance, allergen, into the skin and recording the response 20 minutes after application. A positive reaction consists of a wheal (swelling) and flare (surrounding area of redness). Interpreting the clinical significance of the skin test requires correlation of the test results with the patient’s clinical history.
| Medication | Description |
|---|---|
| Oral antihistamines | Allegra (fexofenadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), Claritin (loratadine), Alavert (loratadine), Clarinex (desloratadine), Xyzal (levocetirizine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine), AlleRx (chlorpheniramine combo), Atarax (hydroxyzine), Aldex (pyrilamine combo), chlorpheniramine, astemizole, cyproheptadine, levocabastine, mequitazine, mizolastine, terfenadine, tripelennamine, ebastine, carbinoxamine, dexchlorpheniramine, Dramamine (dimenhydrinate), methdilazine, phenindamine, trimaparazine, triprolidine |
| Cough & cold meds | Actifed (tripolidine combo), Dimetapp (brompheniramine combo), Dristan (chlorpheniramine combo), Drixoral (dexbrompheniramine combo), Tavist (clemastine), Trinalin (azatadine), Histussin (chlorpheniramine combo) |
| Sleep aids | Nytol (diphenhydramine), Nyquil (doxylamine), Tylenol PM (diphenhydramine), Lunesta (eszopiclone), Ambien (zolpidem) |
| Nasal sprays | Astelin (azelastine), Astepro (azelastine), Patanase (olopatadine), Dymista (azelastine combo) |
| Eye Drops | Pataday/Pazeo (olopatadine), Optivar (azelastine), Bepreve (bepotastine), Alaway/Zaditor (ketotifen), Naphcon A/Opcon-A/Visine-A (naphazoline), Zerviate (cetirizine) |
| Psychiatric | Elavil (amitriptyline), Sinequan/Silenor/Zonalon (doxepin), Tofranil (imipramine), Seroquel (quetiapine), Remeron (mirtazapine), Wellbutrin (bupropion), Oleptro (trazodone), Klonopin (clonazepam), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), alprazolam (Xanax) |
| Antacids | Zantac (ranitidine), Pepcid (famotidine) |
| Other medications | Phenergan (promethazine), Travel Sickness/Dramamine/Antivert (meclizine), Marezine (cyclizine), Catapres (clonidine), Norpramin (desipramine) |
Oral Singulair(montelukast), Sudafed (pseudoephedrine)
Nasal sprays Flonase (fluticasone), Veramyst (fluticasone), Nasonex (mometasone), Omnaris (ciclesonide), Rhinocort (budesonide), Nasacort (triamcinolone), Atrovent (ipratropium), flunisolide, Qnasl (beclometasone), Zetonna (ciclesonide), Xhance (fluticasone)
Asthma Meds All are OK to continue
Antacids Tums, Prilosec (omeprazole), Prevacid (lansoprazole), Nexium(esomeprazole), Protonix (pantoprazole)—any PPI is OK
** Fasting is not necessary, and please avoid sunburns for one week before testing.
– If you are pregnant
– If you have a fever or are wheezing
– ALL medications you are taking (bring a list)
A Physician is present during skin testing since occasional reactions may require therapy. These reactions may consist of any of the following symptoms: itchy eyes, nose, or throat; nasal congestion; runny nose; tightness in the throat or chest; increased wheezing; lightheadedness; faintness; nausea and vomiting; hives; generalized itching; and shock, the latter under extreme circumstances. A severe reaction to skin testing has never occurred in this office, however, if one would occur, the staff is trained to treat you. A separate follow-up appointment will be scheduled and your physician will make further recommendations regarding your treatment.
– WE REQUEST THAT YOU DO NOT BRING SMALL CHILDREN WITH YOU WHEN YOU ARE SCHEDULED FOR SKIN TESTING UNLESS THEY ARE ACCOMPANIED BY ANOTHER ADULT WHO CAN SIT WITH THEM IN THE RECEPTION AREA.
– ANYONE 17 YEARS OF AGE OR YOUNGER, MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN DURING THE ENTIRE PROCEDURE AND VISIT WITH THE PHYSICIAN.
– IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU ARE ON TIME FOR THIS APPOINTMENT.
– PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL YOUR APPOINTMENT SINCE THE TIME SET ASIDE FOR YOUR SKIN TESTING IS YOURS FOR WHICH SPECIAL ALLERGENS ARE PREPARED.
– IF FOR ANY REASON YOU MUST CHANGE YOUR SKIN TEST APPOINTMENT, PLEASE GIVE US AT LEAST 72 HOURS NOTICE. A LAST MINUTE CHANGE RESULTS IN LOSS OF VALUABLE TIME THAT ANOTHER PATIENT COULD HAVE UTILIZED.