Stop Guessing Your Triggers: How Allergy Testing and Allergy Shots May Help

About one in three people lives with an allergy or a related condition, such as eczema. Knowing what sets your allergic reactions in motion can help minimize bothersome symptoms.

If you have a list of possible triggers you avoid in hopes of easing your allergies, it may be time to consider professional testing and treatment. 

At her offices in Valencia, Burbank, and Lancaster, California, Maricar Cutillar-Garcia, MD, provides comprehensive allergy care for good candidates of all ages.

Allergy basics

When you have an allergy, your immune system perceives a substance (the allergen) as a threat. Your immune system responds by overreacting when you’re exposed. This leads to symptoms, such as: 

• Sneezing 
• Itchy or watery eyes 
• Hives 
• Diarrhea 
• Vomiting 

Severe allergies can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition involving low blood pressure and airway narrowing.

Common allergens include plant pollen, mold, pet dander, and certain foods, such as dairy products, shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, and eggs.

How allergy testing works

Tracking your symptoms can help identify an allergen, but not as accurately or efficiently as allergy testing paired with an expert assessment.

Allergy tests use a patch, skin prick, or blood draw to expose your skin or blood to a tiny amount of potential allergens. If your immune system overreacts, you may be allergic. The tests can also rule out suspected allergens, which means you’d no longer have to avoid them.

Dr. Cutillar-Garcia may start with a simple scratch test. If your results are inconclusive, she can inject the allergen into the top layer of your skin. This intradermal skin test has a higher detection rate and fewer false positives.

While severe reactions are rare, you may require other treatments if you’ve had life-threatening allergic reactions. In all cases, Dr. Cutillar-Garcia takes special care to ensure your safety.

Allergy shots (and other treatments)

Your ideal allergy treatment depends on your allergens, symptoms, and overall health. Beyond avoiding allergens, common treatments include oral or inhaled medication. Lifestyle changes, such as using a quality air purifier to manage environmental allergies, also help.

If you have an airborne allergy and other treatments haven’t sufficed, or you want to avoid long-term medication, allergy shots can help. The shots treat seasonal and insect allergies.

A form of immunotherapy, allergy shots prevent or reduce allergy attacks by stimulating your immune system with tiny amounts of your allergen. Allergy shots are safe for patients aged five and up. 

The shots are administered on a schedule over 3-5 years. Many people receive 1-3 times a week for 3-6 months, then move on to maintenance shots every 2-4 weeks.

To learn more about allergy testing or get started with personalized treatment, call our office or request an appointment through our website today.