Over 50 million people in the United States have allergies and the first step to finding out whether you are among them is getting yourself tested. Dr. Payum Abdarbashi and Dr. Dilip Anmangandla of Pacific MD, located in Woodland Hills and Agoura Hills, California, offer complete allergy testing services, as well as treatments, if necessary.
Allergy tests have been used for over 150 years and are a great way to figure out if your body has reactions to certain allergens. Outside of blood tests, Dr. Abdarbashi and Dr. Anmangandla can test for allergies using one of the following:
After the first two tests, the doctor observes the skin for a reaction, which typically occurs within 15 minutes. The reaction most often seen is called a wheal, which is a red bump that may itch. The wheal can also be surrounded by a flare, or redness and irritation of the skin.
It is important that allergy tests are performed by doctors who are trained in allergy testing. At Pacific MD, Dr. Abdarbashi and Dr. Anmangandla take the time to study which tests to administer, how many to administer, and where the testing will get the best results. These determinations are made based on your medical history and symptoms.
Allergy testing is not for everyone. If you have mild symptoms that can be controlled with over-the-counter medications, such as seasonal sneezing and itchy eyes, you likely don’t need to be tested. If, however, you are experiencing symptoms that are hampering your daily activities, or have a history of severe reactions (think bee stings), discuss testing with your doctor.
Yes, which is why you should only consult experts in allergy testing. Risks, from the most severe to minor, include:
Dr. Abdarbashi and Dr. Anmangandla thoroughly review your history before performing any allergy tests to minimize your risks.
At Pacific MD, we accept most major insurance plans. Here is a short-list of just some of the most popular plans we accept. Please contact our office if you do not see your insurance provider listed here.