Health Library Explorer
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings Contact Us
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Click a letter to see a list of conditions beginning with that letter.
Click 'Topic Index' to return to the index for the current topic.
Click 'Library Index' to return to the listing of all topics.

Asthma: Allergy Testing

If you often have allergy symptoms, allergy testing can be helpful. It can help figure out if your symptoms are from allergies. Allergy symptoms can include:

  • Itchy and watery eyes

  • A runny nose

  • Wheezing

  • Sneezing

  • Itchy skin

For some people with asthma, allergies may not affect their nose or eyes. Instead, allergies trigger their asthma symptoms. In some cases, you can tell what you are allergic to. For example, your symptoms may only happen in the spring or fall. But you may need allergy testing to figure out other allergies. 

The healthcare provider will test how you react to allergens. These include:

  • Dust mites

  • Pets

  • Mold

  • Tree, weed, and grass pollen

  • Cockroach droppings

  • Many other substances

Sometimes allergy testing is done with a blood test (IgE). Or it may be done with a challenge test. For this test, you inhale the allergen or take it by mouth. But more often, you have skin testing. There are 2 types of allergy skin tests. One is the skin prick test. The provider pricks your skin using a needle with a small amount of allergen. If you are allergic, the spot will get red, swollen, and itchy. The other test injects a small amount of allergen under the skin.

If you think allergies may trigger your asthma, talk with your healthcare provider about getting tested. Knowing what you are allergic to is helpful. Then you can stay away from the allergens. Your provider may suggest that you get allergy shots (immunotherapy). These can help reduce your allergy and asthma symptoms.

Online Medical Reviewer: Dan Brennan MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Deborah Pedersen MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Jessica Gotwals RN BSN MPH
Date Last Reviewed: 5/1/2023
© 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
Powered by StayWell
About StayWell | Disclaimer | Terms of Use

Our web site is designed to provide general information to educate users about programs and services, which may be available through our hospitals. The web site is not intended to provide medical advice nor should the information be used to attempt to determine the presence, absence or severity of any illness or medical condition which may be perceived or experienced by the user of this site. If you have or suspect you may have an illness or condition which you believe requires medical attention, we recommend you call your primary care physician. If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency please call "911" (or your local medical emergency number) or seek immediate care from the nearest hospital Emergency Department. The provision of information to users of this web site is not intended as an inducement or to otherwise influence a person's decision to order or receive any item or service from a particular provider, practitioner or supplier that is reimbursable under Medicare, a state healthcare program (e.g., AHCCS) or any other healthcare plan.

Physicians are members of the medical staff at each facility, but are independent contractors who are neither employees nor agents of Tenet Florida Coastal Division; and, as a result, Tenet Florida Coastal Division is not responsible for the actions of any of these physicians in their medical practices.