FAQs

Learn More From Our Allergy Specialists



Q. What are allergy symptoms?

A. Allergy symptoms can range from itchy, watery, swollen eyes to sleep disturbances.

Q. What is asthma?

A. Asthma is an inflammatory condition of varying severity that causes hyper-reactivity of the bronchial airways. 

Q. How long will the first visit take?

A. Please allow approximately 2-4 hours.  

Q. Why does the first visit take that long?

A. The initial medical examination we provide is comprehensive. Skin testing and/or asthma testing is performed, X-rays are taken (if needed), test results are discussed, and treatment recommendations are made.

Q. Can I eat or drink prior to my appointment?

A. Yes. You may also bring snacks and drinks to your appointment. Due to the sensitivity of some of our food allergy patients, we ask that you wait until you are in the exam room to eat or drink anything.

Q. May I take my daily medications the day of my visit?

A. For the most part, the answer is yes.  Antihistamines can interfere with allergy testing. For this reason, if you are taking Claritin, Clarinex, loratadine, Zyrtec, or Allegra, please stop taking that medicine five days prior to your appointment. Please do not take any antihistamine medication, including over-the-counter medicines, for at least 72 hours before your first visit.  

Q. May I take Singulair?

A. Yes. Singulair is advertised as an antihistamine, but it is not on the list of antihistamines to stop taking. You do not have to stop taking Singulair.

Q. Can I take antibiotics the same day as the appointment?

A. Yes. Antibiotics do not interfere with testing.

Q. Does the allergy testing hurt?

A. For most people there is little discomfort; however, we do provide anesthetic for children.

Q. Are there any side effects from the testing?

A. A few patients may experience local swelling in the area that the intradermal skin test is performed.

Q. Can I resume my normal activities after testing?

A. Yes, there are no special restrictions related to allergy testing.

Q. How do you entertain small children for that long?

A. Each exam room is equipped with a TV and DVD player.  You are welcome to bring along some favorite books and/or toys.

Q. What should patients wear?

A. We recommend comfortable clothing, including a short-sleeved shirt. If we test for asthma, we may have you exercise on a treadmill, so appropriate walking or running footwear will be needed.

Q. Does everyone get the same testing?

A. No. Everyone is different and testing will be based on individual needs.

Q. Is there an age limit on asthma/allergy testing?

A. No. We routinely test patients of all ages.

Q. Do I need my medical records from my other physicians?

A. Yes. Please bring them with you or have your Primary Care Provider send them to us.  This will help our providers have a complete picture of your health.

Q. Will I know my results of asthma/allergy testing the same day?

A. Yes! It will be in detail, with treatment recommendations and medication instructions.

Q. Is it normal to have delayed reactions to skin testing the next day?

A. Yes, but it does not mean you are allergic. We look for reactions within the first 20 minutes of testing.

Q. Which insurance plans do you accept?

A. Although we participate in various insurance plans, we strongly recommend that you check with your insurance company to verify coverage for allergy/asthma testing and treatment you will be receiving from us.  Ultimately, you are responsible for the charges.

Q. How much will the charges be for the first visit?

A. Depending on insurance coverage and testing performed, most patients experience a charge of approximately $800-$1,500.

Q. Will you bill me for my co-pay?

A. Co-pays are expected during check-in for the visit. 

Q. What are the basic allergies for which you test?

A. Our standard panel of allergens includes molds, grasses, trees, weeds, and environmental agents (dust mites, dog, cat, feathers, etc.) Food Allergies are tested on as as-needed basis.

Q. Can you test for medication allergies?

A. Yes. These are handled on a case-by-case basis, please call our office for additional information.

Q. Are appointments required for the shot lab?

A. No. Each office has a dedicated shot lab area.

Q. What if I have additional questions?

A. Please contact us at (423) 499-4100. We will be happy to answer any additional questions you may have.

Q: Can I request an appointment online?"

A: Yes! Click here to request your appointment.

FAQs


Q. What are allergy symptoms?

A. Allergy symptoms can range from itchy, watery, swollen eyes to sleep disturbances.

Q. What is asthma?

A. Asthma is an inflammatory condition of varying severity that causes hyperreactivity of the bronchial airways. Patients experience episodes of bronchospasm, swelling of the bronchial tissues, and increased mucus, causing airway narrowing and plugging.

Q. Can I eat or drink prior to my appointment?

A. Yes, and you may bring snacks and drinks to your appointment. Due to the sensitivity of some of our food allergic patients, we ask that you wait until you are in the exam room to eat or drink anything.

Q. May I take my daily medications the day of my visit?

A. For the most part, the answer is yes. Antihistamines, however, can interfere with allergy testing. If you are taking Claritin, Clarinex, loratadine, Zyrtec, or Allegra, please stop taking that medicine five days prior to your appointment.  Please do not take any antihistamine medication, including over-the-counter medicines, for at least 72 hours before your first visit, since antihistamines may interfere with your allergy skin test results.

Q. May I take Singulair?

A. Yes. Singulair is advertised as an antihistamine, but it is not on the list of antihistamines to stop taking. You do not have to stop taking Singulair.

Q. Can I take antibiotics the same day as the appointment?

A. Yes. Antibiotics do not interfere with testing.

Q. Does the allergy testing hurt?

A. For most people there is little discomfort; however, we do provide anesthetic for children.

Q. Are there any side effects from the testing?

A. A few patients experience local swelling on the upper arm from the intradermal skin testing.

Q. How long will the first visit take?

A. Please allow approximately 2-4 hours.  We now offer the option of breaking up your initial exam in two appointments.  Please ask for this option if it works best with you or your child’s schedule.  Plan on each appointment to take 2 hours if you choose this option.

Q. Why does the first visit take that long?

A. The initial medical examination we provide is comprehensive. Skin testing and/or asthma testing is performed, X-rays are taken (if needed), test results are discussed, and treatment recommendations are made.

Q. Can I resume my normal activities after testing?

A. Yes, there are no special restrictions related to allergy testing.

Q. How do you entertain small children for that long?

A. Each exam room is equipped with a TV and DVD player. In addition, we have books and toys in each room.

Q. What should patients wear?

A. We recommend comfortable clothing, including a short-sleeved shirt. If we test for asthma, we may have you exercise on a treadmill, so appropriate walking or running footwear will be needed.

Q. Does everyone get the same testing?

A. No. Everyone is different; therefore, each person’s testing may differ. For example, we would not perform as much testing on an infant as we would on adults.

Q. Is there an age limit on asthma/allergy testing?

A. No. We routinely test patients of all ages.

Q. Do I need my medical records from my other physicians?

A. Yes. Please bring them with you if possible because they help our providers obtain a more complete picture of your medical history.

Q. Will I know my results of asthma/allergy testing the same day?

A. Yes in detail, with treatment recommendations and medication instructions.

Q. Is it normal to have delayed reactions to skin testing the next day?

A. Yes, but that does not mean that you are allergic. We look for reactions within the first 20 minutes of testing.

Q. Which insurance plans do you accept

A. Although we participate in various insurance plans, we strongly recommend that you check with your insurance company to verify coverage for allergy/asthma testing and treatment you will be receiving from us. Insurance plans vary, depending on plan types, even within the same company, and you are ultimately responsible for charges for your treatment.

Q. How much will the charges be for the first visit?

A. Charges can range from $500 to $3,000 depending upon the extent of the allergy/asthma testing. Most patients experience a charge of approximately $800-$1,500.

Q. Will you bill me for my co-pay?

A. Co-pays are expected during check-in for the visit. Billing for co-pays costs us money in terms of personnel time and effort and is the patient’s responsibility at the time of service. If we have to bill for co-pays, we add a $5.00 administrative fee to the amount.

Q. Why is it important that I see a board certified allergist?

A. Allergists who are board certified have first passed an exam of either the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) or the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM). Then they complete at least two additional years of study, called a fellowship, in an allergy/immunology training program. Allergists/immunologists who are board certified have passed the certifying examination of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI), following their fellowship. As a result of this extensive study and training, a board-certified allergist/immunologist is the best-qualified medical professional to manage comprehensive needs of patients with allergic disease. Studies show that patients under the care of an allergist/immunologist also make fewer visits to emergency rooms and are better able to manage their allergies and asthma on a daily basis.

Q. What are the basic allergies for which you test?

A. Our standard panel of allergens includes molds, grasses, trees, weeds, and environmental agents (dust mites, dog, cat, feathers, etc.) Food Allergies are tested on as as-needed basis.

Q. Can you test for medication allergies?

A. Yes. These are handled on a case-by-case basis, please call our office for additional information.

Q. Are appointments required for the shot lab?

A. No. Each office has a dedicated shot lab area.

Q. What if I have additional questions?

A. Please contact us at (423) 499-4100. We will be happy to answer any additional questions you may have.