ALLERGY TESTING IN ST. LOUIS, MO

Understanding Your Allergy Symptoms Starts With the Right Evaluation

Sneezing, congestion, drainage, itchy or watery eyes, and other allergy-like symptoms can have several possible triggers. Allergy testing can provide information about immune sensitivities, but test results need to be considered alongside symptoms, medical history, and other clinical findings.

At St. Louis Sinus Center, patients can undergo allergy testing at the Ladue and Festus locations. Testing may include skin prick testing, intradermal testing, or blood testing, depending on symptoms, medical history, medications, and other clinical considerations.

Schedule an Allergy Evaluation

DIRECT ANSWER

What Does Allergy Testing Show?

Allergy testing looks for evidence of an immune response to specific substances, which may include environmental allergens such as pollen, dust mites, mold, or animal dander.

A positive test indicates sensitization to the substance tested, but it does not necessarily mean that allergen is responsible for a patient’s symptoms. Results need to be interpreted in the context of symptoms, medical history, and relevant exposures.

Discuss Your Allergy Symptoms

Signs You May Need an Allergy Evaluation

Allergy testing may be considered when symptoms follow a seasonal pattern, occur after particular exposures, or persist despite routine management. Testing may also be considered when allergy-like symptoms occur alongside ongoing nasal or sinus concerns.

Symptoms that may prompt an allergy evaluation include:

Frequent sneezing
Runny or congested nose
Itchy or watery eyes
Postnasal drainage
Coughing or throat irritation
Symptoms that appear during certain seasons
Symptoms associated with particular environmental exposures

These symptoms do not necessarily mean that allergies are the cause. An evaluation can help determine whether allergy testing may be appropriate and which testing method may provide useful information.

What Can Trigger Environmental Allergy Symptoms?

Environmental allergy symptoms may be associated with exposure to substances such as pollen, mold, dust mites, or animal dander in people who are allergic to them.

The allergens that are clinically relevant vary from person to person. Testing results should therefore be considered together with a patient’s symptoms and exposure history.

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Can Allergies Contribute to Sinus Symptoms?

Yes. Allergies may contribute to inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages and can occur alongside congestion, drainage, and other nasal or sinus symptoms.

However, persistent sinus symptoms can have multiple possible causes. Allergy testing may provide useful information when allergies are suspected, but testing alone cannot determine the cause of every sinus symptom.

Types of Allergy Testing

The type of testing used depends on the patient’s symptoms, medical history, medications, and other clinical considerations.

SKIN PRICK TESTING

During skin prick testing, small amounts of selected allergens are introduced to the skin and observed for a reaction. St. Louis Sinus Center describes skin prick testing as its most commonly used method for detecting immediate allergic reactions.

A positive skin test indicates sensitization and should be interpreted alongside the patient’s symptoms, history, and relevant exposures.

INTRADERMAL TESTING

Intradermal testing involves placing a small amount of an allergen just beneath the skin. It may be used in selected circumstances when additional information is needed.

Because intradermal testing can produce positive reactions that may not correspond to clinically significant allergy, findings should be interpreted in the context of symptoms and clinical history.

BLOOD TESTING

Blood testing can measure allergen-specific IgE antibodies and may be considered when skin testing is not appropriate because of certain medications, skin conditions, or other clinical factors.

As with skin testing, a positive blood test indicates sensitization and does not by itself establish that a particular allergen is responsible for symptoms.

DIRECT ANSWER

Does a Positive Allergy Test Mean I Have an Allergy?

Not necessarily. A positive allergy test indicates sensitization, meaning the immune system has produced a measurable response to the substance tested.

Whether that sensitization represents a clinically relevant allergy depends on how the test result corresponds with symptoms and exposure history. For this reason, allergy test results should not be interpreted in isolation.

What Happens During Allergy Testing?

Before testing, your provider reviews your symptoms, medical history, medications, and possible allergen exposures. Certain medications can affect some types of allergy testing, so patients should follow the practice’s specific instructions before their appointment.

During skin testing, small amounts of selected allergens are introduced to the skin and the areas are observed for reactions. Intradermal testing involves placing a small amount of an allergen beneath the skin. Blood testing involves collecting a blood sample for laboratory analysis.

The specific testing approach depends on individual clinical circumstances.

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Is Allergy Testing Painful?

Skin prick testing involves small pricks to the skin, while intradermal testing involves small injections beneath the skin. Individual experiences vary.

Temporary itching, redness, or swelling may occur at testing sites. Your provider can explain what to expect based on the type of testing being performed.

What Happens After Allergy Testing?

After testing, your provider can review which results may be clinically relevant to your symptoms and discuss appropriate next steps.

Depending on the findings and individual clinical needs, management may include:

Strategies to reduce exposure to clinically relevant allergens
Allergy medications
Nasal treatments
Immunotherapy for appropriately selected patients
Additional evaluation when symptoms may have another cause

Not every patient with a positive allergy test requires treatment, and treatment recommendations should be based on clinically relevant findings rather than test results alone.

DIRECT ANSWER

Can Allergy Testing Identify Exactly What Is Causing My Symptoms?

Not always. Allergy testing can identify sensitization to particular allergens, but a test result alone cannot establish that an allergen is responsible for a specific symptom.

Your provider considers test results together with symptoms, medical history, exposure patterns, and other clinical findings to determine which sensitivities may be relevant.

Allergy Testing FAQs

Do I Need to Stop Taking Allergy Medication Before Testing?

Some medications, including certain antihistamines, can interfere with skin allergy testing. Do not stop a medication unless instructed to do so by your healthcare provider.

St. Louis Sinus Center can provide specific instructions about medications before your testing appointment.

How Long Does Allergy Testing Take?

Testing time varies depending on the type and extent of testing performed. Your provider can explain what to expect based on the testing planned for your appointment.

What Allergens Can Be Tested?

Testing may evaluate sensitivity to selected environmental allergens such as pollens, molds, dust mites, and animal dander. The specific allergens included depend on the type of testing and the patient’s clinical history.

Can I Have a Positive Allergy Test Without Having Symptoms?

Yes. A person can demonstrate sensitization to an allergen without experiencing clinically significant symptoms from that exposure. This is why positive test results need to be interpreted alongside symptoms and exposure history.

Can Allergy Testing Help With Chronic Nasal Congestion?

Allergy testing may provide useful information when allergies are suspected as a contributor to persistent nasal congestion. However, congestion can have multiple causes, so testing is only one part of an evaluation.

What Happens if My Allergy Test Is Positive?

A positive result does not automatically mean treatment is necessary. Your provider can determine whether the finding appears clinically relevant and discuss management options based on your symptoms and individual needs.

Will I Need Immunotherapy After Allergy Testing?

Not necessarily. Immunotherapy may be considered for appropriately selected patients based on clinically relevant allergies, symptoms, response to other management approaches, and other factors. A positive allergy test alone does not mean that immunotherapy is required.

Does Allergy Testing Diagnose Food Allergies?

The appropriate evaluation of suspected food allergy depends on a patient’s clinical history and the services offered by the practice. Environmental allergy testing should not be presented as establishing a food allergy diagnosis unless food allergy evaluation is specifically part of St. Louis Sinus Center’s services.

Why Choose St. Louis Sinus Center for Allergy Evaluation?

St. Louis Sinus Center evaluates patients with allergy-like, nasal, and sinus symptoms and offers allergy testing at its Ladue and Festus locations.

Depending on individual clinical needs, care may include:

Evaluation of allergy-like symptoms and exposure history
Skin prick, intradermal, or blood testing when clinically appropriate
Interpretation of test results alongside symptoms and medical history
Discussion of environmental and medication management options
Immunotherapy for appropriately selected patients

The goal of testing is to provide information that can help determine whether particular allergens may be clinically relevant to a patient’s symptoms and guide discussion of appropriate management options.

Find Out What Your Allergy Test Results May Mean

If recurring congestion, sneezing, drainage, itchy or watery eyes, or other allergy-like symptoms appear to follow a seasonal or environmental pattern, an evaluation can help determine whether allergy testing may be appropriate.

St. Louis Sinus Center can evaluate your symptoms, discuss testing options, and review potential next steps based on your individual clinical findings.

Schedule an Allergy Consultation

ALLERGY TESTING IN ST. LOUIS, MO

Understanding Your Allergy Symptoms Starts With the Right Evaluation

DIRECT ANSWER

What Does Allergy Testing Show?

Signs You May Need an Allergy Evaluation

What Can Trigger Environmental Allergy Symptoms?

DIRECT ANSWER

Can Allergies Contribute to Sinus Symptoms?

Types of Allergy Testing

SKIN PRICK TESTING

INTRADERMAL TESTING

BLOOD TESTING

DIRECT ANSWER

Does a Positive Allergy Test Mean I Have an Allergy?

What Happens During Allergy Testing?

DIRECT ANSWER

Is Allergy Testing Painful?

What Happens After Allergy Testing?

DIRECT ANSWER

Can Allergy Testing Identify Exactly What Is Causing My Symptoms?

Allergy Testing FAQs

Why Choose St. Louis Sinus Center for Allergy Evaluation?

Find Out What Your Allergy Test Results May Mean

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