Scheduling

Allergy & Asthma Testing Information

New patients scheduled for allergy testing should be prepared to stay anywhere between 2 to 4 hours. Patients scheduled for allergy testing must be off all antihistamines for 7 days prior to testing. Please inform us if you are currently taking any medications for blood pressure, migraines or depression. Some of these can interfere with allergy testing.

Plan to arrive to your appointment 20 minutes prior and bring the following information to your appointment:

• COMPLETED Registration Form
• COMPLETED Allergy Questionnaire
• COMPLETED Food History Form
• and if applicable: Insurance Card(s), and any necessary Referrals.

Additional requirements pertaining to allergy testing are listed below. If you should have any questions pertaining to these please contact the office.

Important information pertaining to testing

Preparations for allergy test – Please read carefully

Medications:

ANTIHISTAMINES interfere with skin testing. DISCONTINUE all prescription and over-the-counter antihistamines at least 7 days prior to testing. For example: Claritin, Allegra, Benadryl, Zyrtec, Xyzal, Triaminic. Also, Tylenol PM and Excedrin PM contain antihistamine.

ASTHMA MEDICATIONS MAY BE CONTINUED. Examples: Advair, Singulair, Albuterol (Ventolin/Proventil), Pulmicort, and any other lung inhalers.

NASAL SPRAYS can be continued with THESE EXCEPTIONS: Astelin, Astepro and Patanase these nasal sprays should be discontinued 48hrs prior to testing.

ANTIDEPRESSANTS, BLOOD PRESSURE, HEART OR MIGRAINE MEDS:
Some of these medications may affect testing. Please call us, DO NOT DISCONTINUE without consulting with us first.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT ANY MEDICATION THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY ON, PLEASE CALL US.

DO NOT APPLY ANY CREAMS OR LOTIONS TO ARMS.
(unless medically necessary)

Deodorant/Antiperspirant is OK.

WEAR A LOOSE, SHORT SLEEVED SHIRT the day of testing. Access to your arms up to your shoulders is necessary.

LENGTH OF VISIT cannot always be predicted. Be prepared to stay 2-4 hours, unless we advise otherwise. Feel free to bring a book or video. A VCR and DVD player is available.

EATING PRIOR TO VISIT IS RECOMMENDED, BUT NO FOOD OR DRINK ALLOWED IN OFFICE.

Please bring to your appointment any previous ALLERGY TESTS, relevant CT scans or Chest X-rays.

Acute Illness:

IF YOU ARE ACTIVELY WHEEZING, COUGHING OR INCIDENTALLY HAVE HIVES (WELTS) ON THE DAY OF YOUR VISIT, ALLERGY TESTING MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE. In this case you may still be evaluated by Dr. Gels, but testing may need to be postponed. Alternatively, you can call us to reschedule.

Preparation for Exercise Challenge

1. Do not use these medications as follows:
   AVOID 6 HOURS PRIOR TO TEST:

   INHALERS:

   • Albuterol
   • Ventolin
   • Proventil
   • Xopenex
   • Turbutaline
   • Maxair
   • Atrovent
   • Alupent
   • Primatene

   NEBULIZED:

   • Albuterol
   • Accuneb
   • Duoneb
   • Xopenex

   AVOID 12 HOURS PRIOR TO TEST:

   • Advair
   • Symbicort
   • Serevent
   • Foradil
   • Dulera

   THE FOLLOWING MEDICATIONS ARE PERMITTED PRIOR TO TEST:

   • Asmanex
   • Pulmicort
   • Flovent
   • QVAR
   • Azmacort
   • Intal
   • Aerobid
2. Dress appropriately to run outdoors (clothing, shoes).
3. If poor weather conditions on the day of challenge, call first to confirm whether appointment should be rescheduled.
4. You must be well for the challenge. Any respiratory symptoms (eg: cough, congestion, difficulty breathing) should be reported prior to the test.

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