Allergy Testing is a medical process used to identify substances that trigger allergic reactions in your body. At Bellagio Food Medical, we offer advanced testing methods, including skin prick tests and blood tests, to detect sensitivities to foods, pollen, dust, pet dander, and other allergens. Identifying these triggers helps our specialists create a personalized treatment and management plan, so you can reduce symptoms, prevent severe reactions, and improve your overall quality of life.

When you go in for allergy testing, the team at Bellagio Family Medical, uses one of two possible types of skin tests, a skin prick test and intradermal testing.Both tests are safe and produce quick, accurate results while you wait in the office; then, you can talk with your doctor and decide the best allergy treatment for you.

Your provider at Bellagio Family Medical, places a small drop of an allergen extract on your skin, then pricks the skin under the allergen to make a tiny puncture. This prick-puncture technique allows the allergen to get under your skin. If you’re allergic to the allergen, a small, itchy bump appears in 15-20 minutes. The team at Bellagio Family Medical, uses skin prick testing to identify food, animal, pet dander, environmental, and medication allergies.

Intradermal testing is like a skin prick test, except the allergen is injected under the surface of your skin. Your provider at Bellagio Family Medical, may do intradermal testing if your skin prick test was negative, and they want to verify the results.

Blood tests accurately identify your allergens, but your provider uses this type of allergy testing primarily for patients with a skin condition that prevents a skin test. They may also use blood tests to follow your food allergy or sensitivity over time.

Patch testing identifies common contact allergens such as poison ivy, detergents, nickel, and other metals. Your patch may contain a variety of the most common contact local allergens. The team at Bellagio Family Medical, can also customize your patch test and use specific products you bring from home that may cause your allergic reaction. After placing the allergens in isolated squares on a large, self-adhesive patch, your provider places the patch on your back. Since it takes time for this type of allergen to cause a reaction, you wear the patch for 48 hours. At the end of 48 hours, you go back to Bellagio Family Medical, and your provider checks the skin under the patch. If you don’t have any skin reactions, you may need to wear the patch for several more days.

If you’re ready to take control of your allergies, allergy testing is the first step. Call Bellagio Family Medical, or book an appointment online today.