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By Mayo Clinic staffBefore starting a course of allergy shots, your doctor may use a skin test to determine that your reactions are caused by an allergy — and which specific allergens cause your signs and symptoms. During a skin test, a small amount of the suspected allergen is scratched into your skin and the area is then observed for about 15 minutes. Swelling and redness indicate an allergy to the substance. Your doctor may also use an allergy blood test.
When you go in for allergy shots, let the nurses or doctors know if you are feeling unwell in any way. This is especially important if you have asthma. Also let them know if you had any symptoms after a previous allergy shot.
- Tips to remember: Allergy shots. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/at-a-glance/allergy-shots.aspx. Accessed Dec. 15, 2011.
- Nelson HS. Subcutaneous immunotherapy. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2011;128:907.
- Allergen immunotherapy: A practice parameter third update. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2011;127 (Suppl):S1.
- Hamilton RG. Clinical laboratory assessment of immediate-type hypersensitivity. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2010;125(Suppl):S284.
- Eifan AO, et al. Long-term clinical and immunological effects of allergen immunotherapy. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2011;11:586.
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