New patients need to schedule an allergy skin test. There are several medications that interfere with testing and must be stopped before your appointment. We are requesting that you STOP taking the following medications: Zyrtec, or hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril) for 5 days before your appointment; Allegra, Alavert, Astelin, Benadryl, Claritin, Clarinex, Wal-tin, and all other over the counter antihistamines or allergy/cold medications for 2 days before your appointment; and Singulair or plain decongestants (Sudafed) for 1 day before your appointment. Try not to use any asthma medications, nasal steroids (inhalants) or allergy eye drops the day of your appointment. You may use them up until the night before your appointment. Please use your rescue medications if you have an attack.

You may continue other medications. Do NOT use any kind of oils or lotions on your back the day of your appointment. If you have hives (urticaria) or angioedema, then you do NOT need to stop your medications. Call the office, the doctor may still want to see you, but will perform the testing at a later date.

If you are bringing in small children and are hesitant about skin testing, feel free to still schedule and discuss all treatment options with the doctor.