NORTH VALLEY ENT

Allergy Department

Kylie Carreras, LVN

• Antihistamines should not be taken 7 days prior to allergy testing
• Beta Blockers should not be taken 7 days prior to allergy testing, please consult with your primary care physician to see if it is safe for you to be off of your medicine.
• For your first appointment you will be tested for 40 Environmental Allergens including Weeds, Grasses, Trees, Molds, Dander & Mites by way of a Percutaneous Test or "Prick Test."  The skin on the forearms is pricked with a very small needle where a drop of the allergen is placed.  After 20 minutes results are read to you.
• If you choose to proceed with the immunotherapy program you will be scheduled for an Intradermal Test or "IDT Test."  You will receive a small injection just under the skin on the arm for each allergen you tested positive for. 
• Kylie will take the results from the IDT Test to create a serum for you that includes your allergies.  You will come in each week for an injection of your serum.  You will start at a dose of .05 mL.
• Each week you will come in and your dose will increase by .05mL if you had no allergic reaction to the previous injection. 
• If you miss a week, your dose will remain the same as the previous injection.
• If you miss 2 weeks, your dose will decrease by .05mL of the previous injection.
• If you miss 3 weeks, we will begin the process again at .05mL
• The program can take 1-2 years to complete, depending on your progress.

• Improved quality of life
• Reduction in allergy related asthma
• Reduction in days off of work or school
• Long term remission of allergy symptoms
• Reduction in medication taken to supress symptoms
• Possible chance of curing disease