Allergy Testing

Find Out What You Are Allergic To

Allergy testing shows us what is causing your symptoms, so your treatment can target it directly. At Allergy & Asthma Physicians of Commerce Township, we offer allergy testing for children and adults at our offices in Commerce Township and Mount Clemens. Most tests are done during a regular office visit, and skin test results are usually ready before you leave.

What to Expect at Your Visit

Before any test, we review your symptoms, health history, and medicines. That conversation tells us which tests make sense for you. A positive test on its own doesn’t always mean you have an allergy, so we read your results alongside your history.

Some medicines, including antihistamines, can affect skin test results. When you schedule, we’ll tell you which medicines to pause and for how long. Please don’t stop any prescribed medicine without talking to us first.

Allergy Tests We Offer

Skin Prick Testing

A small drop of each allergen is placed on the skin of your forearm or back, and the skin is lightly pricked. If you’re allergic, a small raised bump appears within about 15 to 20 minutes. This is the most common test for pollen, mold, dust mites, pets, and many foods.

Intradermal Testing

A tiny amount of allergen is placed just under the top layer of skin. We may use this test when a skin prick test is negative but we still suspect an allergy, such as with insect venom or certain medicines.

Blood (IgE) Testing

A blood test measures allergy antibodies (IgE) to specific allergens. It’s a good option if you can’t stop taking antihistamines, have a skin condition that makes skin testing difficult, or have had a severe reaction in the past.

Patch Testing

Small patches containing common substances are placed on your back and worn for about two days. We check your skin when the patches come off and again a day or two later for a delayed reaction. Patch testing helps find the cause of contact dermatitis.

Food Allergy Testing and Oral Food Challenges

Skin and blood tests can show whether you may be allergic to a food. An oral food challenge gives a clearer answer. You eat small, gradually larger amounts of the food in our office while our team watches closely for any reaction. A challenge can confirm a food allergy or show that you’ve outgrown one and can safely eat that food again.

Venom Testing

If you’ve had a reaction to a bee, wasp, hornet, or yellow jacket sting, venom testing can show which insects you’re allergic to. Learn about insect sting allergy.

Drug Allergy Testing and Challenges

Many people who have been told they are allergic to penicillin or another medicine can take it safely. Testing and supervised drug challenges can show which medicines are safe for you, which may give you and your other doctors more treatment options in the future.

Is Allergy Testing Safe?

Yes. Allergy testing is done in our office by trained staff, and serious reactions are rare. Skin testing may cause mild itching or redness at the test site that fades within a few hours. Food and drug challenges are done slowly and under close watch, and our team is ready to treat a reaction right away.