Acadiana otolaryngology associates

Dakin Otolaryngology, L.L.C.
Kim L. Dakin, M.D.
OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGISTS
Ear * Nose * Throat
337-942-3230 337-500-1645 fax 337-942-1659
PRE-ALLERGY TEST INSTRUCTIONS

1. In order to evaluate the allergy test accurately, certain medications should not be taken 5 days before the test is performed. These include: All antihistamines, such as Benadryl, Benadryl Cream, Chloratrimeton, Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra, Phenergan, Remeron etc., many over the counter cold/allergy type medications, many over the counter sleep aids, such as Tylenol PM, Unisome, etc., Cortisone/Steroids in any form, some ulcer/stomach medications and certain tranquilizers, nasal sprays and allergy eye drops, such as Astelin, Optivar, and Pataday, and the ADD medicine Strattera. If you are on any of these medications or have questions about a medication you are currently taking please call the office or contact your pharmacist to find out if the medication has an antihistamine effect. 2. If you are on certain Blood Pressure or Heart medications called BETA Blockers, you will not be able to be tested, nor have allergy injections. You will need to see your
cardiologist to see if he/she can change your medication. If so, you will have to be off
of the BETA Blocker for 2 weeks before testing. If your doctor does not want to take
you off of the BETA Blocker, you may have to be maintained on
antihistamine/decongestants and or nasal steroid sprays for your allergies.
Examples: Betapace (Solatol), Biocardren (Timolol), Brevibloc, Cartrol (Carteolol),
Corzide (contains Nadolol), Corgard (Nadolol), Inderide (contains Propranolol), Inderal
(Propranolol), Kerlone (Betazolol), Lovatol (Penbutolol), Lopressor HCT (contains
Metoprolol), Normadyne (Lobetolol), Normozide (Alpha, Beta), Sectral (Acebutolol),
Tenorectic (contains Timolol), Tenormin (Atenolol), Trandate (Labetolol), Toprol XL
(Metoprolol), Zebata (Bisoprolol), Visken (Pindolol), Ziac (contains Bisoprolol)
Intra-ocular Beta Blockers (eye medications) include: Betagen (Levobulol), Betatopic
(Betazolol), Timoptic (Timolol), Betatopic S
THIS LIST IS NOT INCLUSIVE OF ALL BETA BLOCKERS; PLEASE REVIEW
ALL MEDICINES WITH THE ALLERGY NURSE.

SEVERE REACTIONS, INCLUDING DEATH MAY BE ASSOCIATED WITH
THESE ABOVE MEDICINES AND ALLERGY TESTING.
3. Please complete the attached signature page and allergy questionnaire and bring it
with you the day of testing.
4. If you are running fever, experiencing an asthma attack, or “hay fever”, testing should 5. If you cannot keep your appointment because of the above or other reasons, please notify our office 24-48 hours in advance to cancel appointment. 6. Do not change your diet before the test. Make sure to eat breakfast before coming to a morning appointment or lunch before an afternoon appointment. 7. Please dress comfortably and bring a book or something to pass the time between testing. The test will take up to 11/2 hours depending on the number of tests required. The test may take 1-2 sessions, depending on the number of antigens to be tested and your allergic response. 8. If we are testing your child, please do not bring other children the day of testing if at all 9. If you have any questions please contact the Allergy Technician at 942-3230 ext. 206 10. Your test is scheduled for ______________________________________________ General Information about Allergies and Allergy Testing Your doctor has suggested that allergies are probably one of the causes of your problems, therefore, he/she would like for us to do a complete allergy work-up and management program for you. The first step is to find out exactly what is causing your allergies. We will test you for those things found in our area to be the most common causes of allergy symptoms. These are known as inhalants, which include pollens, mold, dust mites, cockroach and pet dander. Your allergy test will take about 1-2 hours to complete. If you are very sensitive to some of the antigens we are testing you for, you may have to be tested in steps which would require more than 1 testing session. At the conclusion of the test we can tell you those things you are allergic to and how severe your allergies are. Testing on adults is done on the outside of the upper arms and or back using special applicators. The pricks go just on the top layer of the skin and are not very painful. The first part of the test is called Multi-Strip testing, which uses 6 special applicators, allowing 8 antigens. To be scratched onto the skin at one time. This test allows us to know which inhalants you are allergic to. We complete the testing with Modified Quantitative Testing (MQT), which is intradermal injections done with a small amount of antigens in different strengths, depending on your reaction to the Multi-strip test. When skin testing children we use just the Multi-Strip testing. However, this test requires about an hour to complete. If a RAST test is done (normally for food allergies), an order will be written for you to get your blood drawn at a participating lab per your insurance. This test takes about 2 weeks to get the results from the laboratory. We will notify you of the results and plan your allergy therapy once results are received. With MQT or Multi-Strip Testing you may experience allergy symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, itching, hives, or asthma during or after the testing. Please contact the office and let us know if these symptoms occur. For mild symptoms, such as itching, Benadryl can be taken. If more severe reactions such as swelling or shortness of breath occur, you should go to the nearest emergency room for treatment. After your allergies are diagnosed, you will begin your treatment. This consists of 1-2 shots once per week for 6-18 weeks. The first few weeks of your allergy treatment needs to be done in our office until you reach your maintenance dose. After the shot, you will be observed for 20 minutes for an acute reaction to the increasing dose of antigen in your shot. This usually takes 6-18 weeks if you can come once per week. At the end of 1 year of treatment we will determine the status of your treatment and perhaps move your injections to once every other week. You will need to see the doctor about once every 6 months for an allergy checkup. You can always take your shots at either of our offices or once you reach maintenance, we can send your medicine along with instructions for you to give your own injections, have a family member or a nurse give your injections, or have them done at your family doctor’s office. Your shot schedule might vary according to how many things you are allergic to, how severe your allergies are, and how well your system can tolerate the allergy treatment. Remember that allergy treatment is a very individual problem and that it may take a while before you begin noticing a significant difference or decrease in your symptoms. Some patients feel much better in a few months while others take up to a year. We want you to remember this: Allergy problems are inherited and, therefore, cannot be cured, but may be controlled. This control will occasionally be interrupted by occurrences such colds, infections, fatigue, nervous tension, and sudden temperature changes. These interruptions should not discourage you, however, because this will usually be only temporary. A word to tobacco users: You must realize that if you use tobacco, your allergy management will not be as successful as it could be if you were a non-tobacco user. Therefore every effort should be made to give up this habit before you become involved with allergy testing and treatment. Even if you are a non-smoker, tobacco smoke in the home or office will affect your treatment. Cigarettes should be kept out of the environment of an allergic patient. Please be sure and verify your insurance benefits prior to allergy testing and treatment. You should
request benefits for allergy testing, allergy injections and allergy serum.
ALLERGY INJECTION SCHEDULE:(Subject to change with physician’s schedule)
OPELOUSAS OFFICE
LAFAYETTE OFFICE
If you have any questions, please contact the Allergy Technician at 942-3230 Ext. 206 (Opelousas office) or 500-1645 (Lafayette office). I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE ABOVE INSTRUCTIONS. I HAVE REVIEWED MY MEDICINES WITH THE ALLERGY NURSE. ______________________________ ALLERGY QUESTIONNAIRE
Date Immunotherapy began: ______________ *Please circle the number representing how often your symptoms occur. 3x/week 1x/week 3x/month 1x/month 3x/year Sinusitis for 7 days requiring antibiotics How often do you take allergy injections? Are you currently using dust mite/pet allergen proof pillow or mattress encasing? Yes or No

Source: http://www.dakinoto.com/uploads/PreAllergyInstructions_2.pdf