Options for Allergy Testing and Treatment

More than 50 million people in the United States regularly battle allergies. Furthermore, allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the nation. 

If you have allergies, finding the cause is the most important step. Because unless you understand the cause of your symptoms, finding relief can be nearly impossible.  

At Integrative Primary Care in Houston, Syed Farhat Zaidi, MD, and our compassionate care team are dedicated to helping allergy sufferers find lasting relief. That’s why our office offers diagnostic allergy testing.

What are allergies?

When you have an allergy, your body identifies a foreign substance that is harmless ― such as dust or pollen ― as a threat. To fight this perceived threat, your body creates antibodies and you have an allergic reaction.

What are the options for allergy testing?

While a number of allergy tests are touted as being able to identify allergens, the medical community, by and large, relies on two tests: scratch tests and blood tests.  

Scratch tests

During a scratch test, a potential allergen is placed on your skin in liquid form. Then your skin is lightly scratched to let in the allergen. If you develop wheals ― raised, itchy bumps ― at the site of the scratch, then you’re likely allergic to that allergen. 

Blood tests

When you come in contact with something you’re allergic to, your body tries to fight back by creating antibodies. For an allergy blood test, a sample of your blood is drawn and checked in a laboratory to look for the presence of antibodies.

Depending on the antibodies present, your doctor can determine which substances you may be allergic to. At Integrative Primary Care, we offer allergy blood testing and analysis with our in-house laboratory. This means you’ll get results much faster than testing done with an outside lab, helping you get treatment sooner. 

How are allergies treated?

Allergy treatment largely depends on the type of allergies you have. It’s important to note that there’s currently no cure for allergies. However, there are ways to reduce their impact on your life and alleviate your symptoms. 

Dr. Zaidi will work with you to find the right solution for your unique situation. Possible treatment options may include prescription medications, over-the-counter antihistamines, epinephrine pens, and trigger-avoidance therapies. 

It’s important to seek care from a qualified medical doctor, such as Dr. Zaidi. Less reliable allergy tests are sometimes offered by practitioners who lack formal training or board certification, which can make finding the root cause of your allergies difficult.

You don’t have to keep suffering from allergies. Dr. Zaidi can help. To learn more about your options for allergy testing and treatment, book an appointment online or over the phone with Integrative Primary Care today.