Allergy Season is Here - How to Figure out What You're Allergic to

April 25, 2011— -- With warmer weather and blooming flowers, it's clear that allergy time is here! So how can you test to see what you're allergic to? Traditionally there are two types of tests - the allergy skin test and a blood test. But what's the difference?

The allergy skin test is generally thought to be a little more accurate than blood tests. The results are very rapid, we get them right away, and it's generally more cost effective when doing large panels of tests. Allergy skins tests are typically done by an Allergist.

Blood allergy tests can be performed by any physician and the results take a few days to get back. There have been large advances in the ability of the allergy blood test to become better, and now the results approach what we see with allergy skin tests.