Resources

Patient Education

WHAT TO EXPECT YOUR FIRST VISIT

If you have already made an appointment, please see our “Patient Forms” page and print and fill out the “Your First Visit Information” and "New Patient Forms" sheets. If you would prefer, you can call our office and we will gladly send you a welcome packet that includes these forms.

You may spend 3-5 hours with us on your first visit. Much of this is development time between stages of testing, so you may wish to bring items for entertainment and a snack if necessary.

The nurse will talk with you at length and obtain a detailed history of your allergy problems.

Prick skin testing is a relatively-simple procedure involving a minute prick of the skin to deliver a drop of allergen extract. It takes about 20 minutes before the results can be read. At times, a second test, called an intradermal skin test may be applied. This consists of injecting a tiny bubble of the extract superficially into the skin of the arm, again to be read after about 20 minutes.

You may have laboratory work or other tests ordered as well. If asthma-like symptoms are reported, a breathing test may also be performed.

After all the testing is completed, your nurse will explain some of the general steps in the treatment of allergies. Your physician will then outline with you the recommendations regarding your individualized treatment plan.

Beta blockers, sedative medication and certain antidepressants, should be stopped if possible but only under the direction of your prescribing physician. Please call our office for the exact length of time and further details.

Most asthma medications can be continued. If possible, do not use your asthma inhalers the morning of your appointment-bring them with you for use shortly after you arrive. Let the nurse know prior to its use if possible.

Please call our office if you have any questions regarding your medications.

Medicine to stop 1 week prior to visit:

We appreciate your consideration for other allergy sufferers.

Many of your fellow patients are highly sensitive to strong smells. We ask that you refrain from wearing strong perfumes or colognes when coming to our office.

Actifed
Alavert
Allegra
Antivert
Astepro
Atarax
Benadryl

Chlor-Trimeton
Clarinex
Claritin
Dimetapp
Doxepin
Drixoral
Hydroxyzine

Loratadine
Naldecon
Periactin
Phenergan
Polaramine
Rynatan
Tavist

Triaminic
Vasocon
Vistaril
Xyzal
Zyrtec