Allergy Testing & Treatment

Are allergies holding you back? We offer diagnostic testing and treatments for adults and children for a range of allergens and irritants, including:

Contact allergens
Dust
Foods, including dairy, eggs, peanuts, soy, shellfish and wheat
Latex
Livestock, including horse and cattle
Mold
Nickel
Pets
Pests, including cockroaches and mice
Pollen

Allergy Testing

Allergy testing can help your health care provider determine which substances cause your symptoms. There are three common tests your healthcare provider might use:

Skin test

Your doctor will put a small amount of an allergen on your skin, then prick the area. If the pricked area rises up like a mosquito bite, that means you are allergic to the allergen. This can test many allergens at once.

Blood test

Blood tests are done if skin tests can’t be performed. Blood tests measure the IgE antibodies to certain allergens in your blood. Like skin tests, they help your provider understand what may be causing your symptoms, but neither test confirms an allergy on its own or is better than the other.

If your results are negative, we will work with you to find treatments that help.

Challenge test

Under close medical supervision, you will inhale, consume or have a small amount of the allergen injected into you. This is most often performed for food or medicine allergies and helps your provider determine whether you're truly allergic to a specific item.

Most insurance plans cover allergy testing. At University Health, we work with your insurance company to confirm coverage before your visit when possible. If testing is not covered, we can discuss estimated out-of-pocket costs with you before testing to help you decide whether it is an affordable option. We accept a wide range of insurance plans. You can review our list of accepted plans to confirm coverage.

Allergy Treatments

Your allergy treatment plan will be determined by your overall health and how well you do with medication and procedures.

Allergy Self-management

The easiest and most recommended treatment is to avoid allergens whenever possible. Your doctor may also recommend a saline spray to rinse irritants out of your nose.

Take these precautions to avoid allergies:

Dust-proof your home
Stay inside when pollen counts are high
Wash bedding and clothes often to eliminate dust mites
Wear a face mask when doing yard work

Allergy immunotherapy

Allergy shots inject a mix of the substances you are allergic to as a way to boost your immune system against them. Shots may be a better option than avoidance for: