Patch It Up!
The patch testing is a process to detect allergic contact dermatitis. It involves applying patches with test substances to see what is causing the rash.
Allergy shots or allergy immunotherapy is a great option for people who suffer with environmental allergies. We are able to individualize the therapy based on a person’s allergies which helps to better target their allergens. It is time-consuming, but well worth it if one has the time. It consists of weekly shots for about a year which helps to slowly introduce the allergen(s) to the patient and essentially help make them less allergic. After a year, patients come less frequently; every 2 weeks, every 3 weeks, and then every month. We usually recommend it for 3-5 years for maximum benefit. They may cause some local reaction—itching and swelling at the shot site, and this is the most common reaction patients may have. A more serious reaction that very rarely happens is a more systemic reaction, but we have our patients wait for 30 minutes after they receive their shots so we can be here to treat them just in case. This is a rarity, but we do stress the importance of waiting after getting allergy shots. Generally, if a patient is sick, they will not get their shot(s) that day because it does increase the chance of an allergic reaction. Allergy shots are a great long-term solution. Just think of it this way—you can keep on treating the symptoms from the allergies with allergy medications or you can essentially treat the allergy itself.
