Allergy Testing

Modified Quantitative Testing for inhalant allergies At Mid-Kansas Ear, Nose & Throat Associates, we want to help you resolve the allergy symptoms that bother you. Allergy testing is an integral part of your evaluation and treatment plan. Allergy testing is safe and effective under the guidance of our trained staff.

We’ll take the time to understand your specific concerns and be there every step of the way to ensure you receive the highest quality care.

How Allergies Are Diagnosed

No matter what your symptoms are, the first step to diagnosing your allergies is a head and neck physical exam. This exam is necessary to ensure there are no physical abnormalities that might confuse the diagnosis and/or progress, such as nasal polyps, ear fluid, septal deviation or sinus infection.

We will also gather your medical history and have you complete an allergy questionnaire, which assists us in finding your suspicious or potential allergens.

If it has been determined that an inhalant allergy may be a major cause of your symptoms, our physician will recommend inhalant allergy testing. Depending on your individual situation, health history and current medications, your provider will recommend either skin testing or blood testing.

Allergy skin and blood tests measure your IgE levels (IgE is an antibody called immunoglobulin E. If your IgE level is high for a specific allergen, you are most likely allergic to it.

With inhalant allergy testing we will measure the IgE you have made to your specific allergens (such as pollens, mold spores, dust, animal dander, etc.).

Skin Testing – This is the most common and most accurate way to conduct allergy testing. It is quick and done in the convenience of our office. At Mid-Kansas ENT, we use skin testing called Modified Quantitative Testing or MQT. A tiny amount of each allergen to be tested is scratched onto the skin of your forearms. After about 15 minutes, the areas that were scratched will be measured for a reaction. Typical reactions include redness or swelling at the site.

Depending on the measured reaction, one or more dilutions may need to be applied to determine which dilution of the allergen you first respond to. These results are critical to formulating the allergy treatment specifically for you.

The measured reaction determines the strength, or the dilution, of the allergens that will then be applied to the upper outer aspect of your arm via a small needle prick. The measurements of these reactions are critical to formulating the allergy treatment specifically for you.

Blood Testing – There are some instances when skin testing cannot be performed, such as if you are taking certain medications. If you are currently on a beta blocker medication, your provider may recommend blood testing (RAST or radioallergosorbent test) instead.

Any redness or swelling should subside within 24-48 hours of the testing but could last for up to a week.

Please note that certain medications can affect the result of skin testing and should be discontinued prior to testing; please discuss your medications with your provider.

At Mid-Kansas we test for approximately 35 inhalant allergens that are specific to our locale to give you the best coverage for inhalant desensitization.

What Happens Next After Testing?

The best line of defense in combating allergies is to avoid the allergens that trigger your symptoms. Your Mid-Kansas ENT provider will discuss with you the best course of treatment for your specific needs, which may include medication or immunotherapy (allergy shots, allergy drops, or allergy toothpaste).

Each patient’s results will be different, and success will depend on remaining consistent with your treatments, controlling environmental factors, when possible, etc.

Give us a call at 316-684-2838 to make an appointment with one of our allergy specialists.