Download skin testing - St. Joseph Hospital

An allergy consult appointment does not guarantee skin testing will be done; Dr Siroty will
make a clinical decision the day of the appointment. Bee venom testing needs to be done
8 weeks post sting.
Why Skin Test:
Is used to assist the allergist in determining what may be causing allergic symptoms. Extracts of
common allergens (dust, pollens, mold, etc) are injected into the superficial layers of the skin. A
positive reaction resembles a mosquito bite in appearance and is usually itchy. A positive or
negative skin test must be correlated with the patient’s clinical history and physical findings
determine its relevance.
Skin Testing Instructions:
NO Antihistamines should be taken for forty-eight hours preceding the test except for
ATARAX (hydroxyzine) 3 days, CLARITIN 4 days, ZYRTEC 7 days.
Common Antihistamines That Should NOT Be Taken:
Actifed
Contac
Novahistine
Allerest
Dimetane
Optimine
Allegra
Dimetapp
Periactin
Benadryl
Diphenhydramine Phenergan
Bronkaid
Doxepin
Polaramine
Chlorpheniramine Drixoral
Primatene Tabs
Chlor-Trimeton Fedahis
Patanase spray
Rynatan
Sinubid
Travist
Tedral
Terfenadine
Trinalin
Vistaril
Also stop over the counter allergy, cold remedies and sleeping pills containing diphenhydramine
(benadryl) 48 hours prior to appointment
You May Take:
o Decongestants such as Mucinex, Phenylephrine HCL, Sudafed and Guaifenesin.
o All other medications should be taken as prescribed by your physician.
o Eye drops: Patanol eye drops are okay to use. (Patanol refrigerated may help)
Asthma Patients: continue to take your regular medicine unless it is on the list.
If you have any questions concerning the above medications, which do not appear on this list,
please contact the Internal Medicine Department at 891- 4500.
Bring all your medications with you, if this is not possible bring in a list of your current
medications and their doses.
Testing Information: testing may take approximately 1-1 ½ hours, Venom testing takes 2-3
hours. You may eat before, during and after the skin test. If you have a fever or feel ill, please
call us before coming in. Skin testing will be performed on your arm, so wear sleeveless or loose
fitting clothing. If you need to cancel for any reason, please notify us within 4 hours before the
appointment. Do not exercise for 2 hour after skin testing.
Revised June 2015