Allergy Testing

Allergy symptoms can be caused by a range of triggers. Our ENT and Allergy Center uses advanced testing to help identify what may be behind your asthma, food allergies, rashes or other conditions.

Allergies and immunologic conditions like asthma and eczema can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms. With allergy testing, we can identify the triggers, so you can take the next step toward relief.

At MU Health Care, we offer personalized allergy testing and treatments, including allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots) and clinical trials.

How Can I Get Allergy Testing?

You may be a candidate for allergy testing if over-the-counter medication doesn’t help your allergy symptoms, which may include:

Persistent sneezing, runny nose or congestion
Coughing, wheezing or other asthma symptoms
Skin rashes or itchy, red skin
Itchy, watery eyes
Severe allergic reactions, such as lip or throat swelling

To get started, make an appointment to see one of our allergists. Most patients are seen within two weeks. We also offer second opinions and care for patients from across Missouri and beyond for allergy testing or clinical trials.

Our Approach to Allergy Testing

At MU Health Care, allergy testing is part of a coordinated care plan focused on identifying triggers and improving your symptoms.

Your care team may include:

Adult and pediatric allergists: Oversee your allergy diagnosis and treatment plan.
Adult dermatologists and pediatric dermatologists: Provide patch testing in our clinic for skin-related allergies.
Primary care providers and pediatricians: Help manage short- and long-term conditions for you and your family.
Adult pulmonologists and pediatric pulmonologists: Care for lung conditions like asthma.
Adult gastroenterologists and pediatric gastroenterologists: Treat food intolerances that can cause digestive symptoms.
Nurses: Assist with testing and patient support.

Types of Allergy Testing at MU Health Care

We offer a full range of testing options for children and adults. Your allergist will recommend the safest and most effective option based on your symptoms and medical history.

Our team will also provide insurance codes for allergy testing, so you can check your coverage with your health plan beforehand.

Some skin tests require you to stop taking medications for allergies, blood pressure, depression, migraines or other conditions before testing. If that’s not possible, we offer alternative testing options that can provide precise results without putting you at risk.

Skin Prick Testing

Skin prick tests are the most common allergy tests and can provide results on the same day as testing. During this test, a nurse dips a small device into different allergens and presses it onto the skin of your forearms or back. We can test for allergies to 50 types of grass, weeds, fungi, tree pollen, mold, dust and animal dander.

After 20 minutes, we’ll check your skin for a wheal, which looks like a swollen mosquito bite. This swelling tells us that you’re allergic to that allergen. You’ll then meet with your allergist to discuss next steps for treatment, such as allergy shots.

Intradermal Testing

During an intradermal test, we inject a small amount of an allergen just under your skin to see if you have an allergic reaction. Intradermal tests are often used to check for allergies to pollen, insects and medications. Results are available in 10 minutes, so you can begin allergy treatment as quickly as possible.

Patch Testing

For these tests, a dermatologist places sticky patches with allergens on your back. You’ll keep the patches on for several days and return to our clinic so we can check for allergic reactions. These tests can identify slow, delayed allergies to triggers like fragrances, preservatives, nickel, rubber and wool.

Blood Testing for Allergies

We may recommend blood testing if you take certain medications that you cannot pause, which is recommended before skin testing. Blood tests may also be an option if you are at risk of having a severe reaction from skin tests.

During blood allergy testing, we’ll send your blood sample to the lab, where they will mix it with different allergens. Then, we’ll measure the amount of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in the blood to determine if you have an allergy. Results are available in about a week.

Oral Challenges

Oral challenges can help determine if you are allergic to certain foods in a controlled environment in our clinic. Common foods tested include eggs, peanuts, dairy, wheat, seafood and soy.

During a challenge, we’ll give you increasing amounts of a possible food allergen every 15 to 30 minutes for up to two hours. You’ll spend about three to four hours in the clinic, so we can check for any delayed reactions. Challenges may also help identify certain medication allergies.

Penicillin Allergy Testing

If you think you might be allergic to antibiotics like penicillin or amoxicillin, we offer skin testing and oral challenges. First, we’ll do a skin prick test to see if you react to two forms of penicillin and two non-penicillin substances. Then, if your prick test is negative, we’ll perform an intradermal test with a small amount of the same substances.

If both tests are negative, we will conduct a two-hour oral challenge of penicillin and amoxicillin. At the end of your appointment, you’ll know if you have an allergy to either antibiotic.

Risks of Allergy Testing

Allergy testing is generally safe, but some patients may not be candidates for certain tests. You may need alternative testing if you:

Have heart disease
Had a previous stroke
Have uncontrolled asthma
Are pregnant or breastfeeding

These and other conditions can raise the risks associated with allergy testing, which may include a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Your allergist will discuss the risks and benefits of testing during your evaluation. If you get tested, we have special protocols in place to help minimize these risks while you’re in our clinic.