Should You Get Allergy Testing?

Every spring, every visit to a friend's house, and sometimes even every night in bed, leaves some people reaching for another tissue. Stuffy noses, itchy eyes, sneezing, recurring sinus infections, and unexplained skin rashes can start to feel like a normal part of life when you suffer from environmental allergies. Pollen‐associated allergic rhinitis is one of the most common allergies, and for those living in Los Angeles, air quality can worsen it. 

The challenge for some people is that allergy symptoms can look like colds, sinus infections, non-allergic rhinitis, asthma, or even food sensitivities. Guessing at the cause of your symptoms can lead to months or years of treating the wrong problem. Read on to learn how allergy testing identifies the specific triggers behind your symptoms and where to find the best allergy doctor in Los Angeles for allergy testing and treatment. 

How Do You Know if You Need Allergy Testing?

A lot of people dismiss allergy symptoms because they come and go. They may also blame symptoms on changing weather, poor sleep, or another head cold. But if you find yourself sneezing every morning, rubbing itchy eyes during certain seasons, waking up with a stuffy nose, or dealing with recurring sinus pressure, allergies are the most likely cause. Certain allergens can also cause symptoms that affect work, school, exercise, and sleep, like: 

• Persistent coughing
• Wheezing
• Eczema flare-ups
• Headaches
• Frequent sinus infections
• Ongoing congestion
• Asthma symptoms

Allergy testing is the best way to identify the exact cause of your symptoms, so treatment focuses on the source of your symptoms instead of repeated short-term relief.

What Happens During an Allergy Test?

Allergy testing is simple and usually takes less than an hour. It begins with a visit to the best allergist in Los Angeles, who will review your symptoms, medical history, family history, and the situations that seem to trigger your reactions. This conversation helps determine which allergens should be included in your testing. For the actual testing, there are two common methods: 

• A skin prick test: During this test, tiny amounts of suspected allergens are placed on the skin, usually on the forearm or back. A small device lightly presses the allergen into the surface of the skin. If you are allergic, a small, itchy bump may appear within about 15 to 20 minutes. 
• Blood tests: This is usually recommended if you have certain skin conditions, take medications that interfere with skin testing, or cannot safely undergo a skin test.

What Can Allergy Testing Tell You?

Allergy testing can identify environmental allergens that trigger everyday symptoms, including tree, grass, and weed pollens, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, and insect venom. Knowing your specific triggers allows the best allergy doctor in Los Angeles to create a personalized treatment plan for you and help you make practical changes at home, at work, and outdoors that may reduce your exposure.

What Are Your Treatment Options After Allergy Testing?

Your treatment plan will depend on the allergens identified during testing, the severity of your symptoms, and your lifestyle. Many people benefit from a combination of: 

• Avoiding known triggers
• Taking medications when needed
• Using immunotherapy to reduce the immune system's response over time

Allergy drops, also known as sublingual immunotherapy, offer a convenient option for many environmental allergies. These drops are placed under the tongue each day and can be taken at home after the treatment plan is established. This option appeals to many patients because it avoids regular injections while helping the immune system become less sensitive to allergens over time.

Allergy shots, or subcutaneous immunotherapy, have been used for decades to treat environmental allergies. The injections are given on a regular schedule and gradually expose the immune system to increasing amounts of allergens. Although allergy shots require more commitment, patients usually experience fewer symptoms, need less medication, and enjoy longer-lasting relief after completing treatment. 

Is Allergy Testing Worth It? 

Living with untreated allergies means planning your day around symptoms. Poor sleep, constant congestion, recurring sinus infections, and difficulty concentrating can slowly affect your quality of life. Identifying the cause of these symptoms gives you the opportunity to address the problem with greater confidence.

Allergy testing also helps prevent unnecessary treatments. Instead of trying different medications without knowing what is causing your symptoms, allergy testing provides information to support a more personalized treatment plan. This can reduce frustration, lower medication use, and improve symptom control throughout the year.

Finding the Best Allergy Doctor in Los Angeles for Allergy Shots and Allergy Drops

Finding what is triggering your allergy symptoms and then getting a personalized allergy treatment plan is the best way to get relief and lasting improvement. At our conveniently located offices in Santa Monica and Torrance, we use comprehensive allergy testing to create personalized immunotherapy plans that help reduce your body's response to allergens over time. Whether allergy drops or allergy shots are the right choice for you, we will guide you through every stage of treatment.

Our practice is led by Dr. Payam Daneshrad, a board-certified otolaryngologist specializing in rhinology and facial plastic surgery. He graduated with highest honors from the University of California, Berkeley, and the Tulane University School of Medicine. Dr. Daneshrad has cared for professional athletes from organizations including the Los Angeles Clippers, LAFC, and the Los Angeles Sparks. He also brings years of experience treating both adult and pediatric ear, nose, and throat conditions.