Your Allergy Visit
Allergy Evaluation
In order to develop an effective treatment program, a comprehensive evaluation may involve skin testing, patch testing, in vitro allergy (blood) testing, and/or breathing evaluations, as deemed appropriate for each patient as an individual.
Allergy Testing
Skin Tests
The skin test measures IgE antibody response to certain allergens or triggers. Using small amounts of solutions that contain different allergens, your child's nurse will apply the allergens on the skin with a small scratch. A reaction would appear as a small red area. A reaction to the skin test indicates sensitization only and does not always mean your child is allergic to the allergen. Skin testing may not be done on children who have severe eczema or are on antihistamines.
Blood Tests
Blood tests for allergies measure IgE antibodies to specific allergens in the blood. The blood test most commonly used is called RAST (radioallergosorbent test). Blood tests may be used when skin tests can't be done. As with skin testing, it is important to remember that a positive blood test does not always mean your child is allergic to that allergen.
Challenge Test
A test supervised by an allergist who administers a very small amount of an allergen that is inhaled or taken orally.
Pulmonary Function Tests
In office spirometry and fractionated exhaled nitric oxide are used to evaluate asthma and other respiratory conditions.
Forms
AC6 - New Patient Packet
AC6 - New Patient Packet SPANISH
Batavia - New Patient Packet
YMCA Pittsford - New Patient Packet
Medical Records Release
Patient Stories
When two-year-old Logan started to get sick, they thought it was the stomach bug.
The Rochester Red Wings spotlighted GCH patients as part of their "all-star" series. Thanks, Zayden, for your amazing story!