Information about your Allergy Test

Skin tests are fairly reliable as an indication of allergy to inhaled substances but they are not perfect. It is important to match positive allergy tests with the time and characteristics of your symptoms and exposure to the allergen. For example, a positive skin test to horses is of no significance if you are not around horses. House dust mite and mold spores are found year-round in this area and can cause problems during all seasons. The intensity of these symptoms may vary by the time of the year, temperature, and humidity. Animal dander may produce chronic ongoing symptoms if exposure is on a regular basis as with a household pet. Since schools can have high levels of animal dander, children or employees may get allergy symptoms only during the school year if they have no animals in their home.

Pollens cause seasonal symptoms with peaks of difficulty being experienced when the offending plant is pollinating. Trees in this area pollinate in the early spring from late February through May. Exceptions to this rule are Cedar Elm, which pollinates in the fall and Mountain Cedar which pollinates in the winter months. This unusual behavior of trees in our area allows for pollen to be found in Texas all twelve months of the year. Grass pollinates in the late spring and usually dominates pollen counts in May and June, though they can sometimes begin to pollinate as early as February and may continue pollinating on and off until the first frost in November. Most weeds pollinate in this part of the country in late fall after the first rainfall and continue until the first freeze.

Patient Handouts: Allergy Skin Testing Instructions | Skin Patch Test Form