preparing for your first visit
During your visit, the physician will determine if allergy skin testing should be done. If you think you will need allergy skin testing and are taking antihistamines, these medications should be stopped generally 5-7 days before your visit. Please refer to the list below of what includes antihistamines. If you are not able to stop taking them, the physician may choose to do bloodwork instead or defer skin testing for another time.
benadryl (diphenhydramine), atarax/vistaril (hydroxyzine), chlorpheniramine
claritin (loratadine), zyrtec (cetirizine), allegra (fexofenadine), xyzal (levocetirizine), clarinex (desloratadine)
nasal sprays: astepro (azelastine), dymista, patanase (olopatadine)
eye drops: patanol, pataday, pazeo (olopatadine), bepreve, zaditor/alaway (ketotifen), optivar (azelastine)- avoid 3 days prior to visit
cyproheptadine - avoid 11 days prior to visit
Pepcid (famotidine), zantac (ranitidine) - avoid 2 days prior to visit
Beware that some OTC cold medications may also contain antihistamines (i.e. Dimetapp, some Robitussin and Tylenol products) which should also be avoided 5 days prior to visit. Oral and nasal steroids and all asthma inhalers should NOT be stopped before your visit.
ON THE DAY OF THE VISIT please bring with you:
your insurance card
registration form we will email to you prior to the visit
copay if required by your insurance. Please be aware that by law we must collect your copay at the time of service. We accept cash and personal checks only.
copies of prior imaging studies or test results if available
a list of all the medications you currently take
We look forward to meeting you!
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