Allergy Testing

Tools

By Lindsey Scheetz

Story Published: Feb 1, 2010 at 5:00 PM MST

Story Updated: Feb 1, 2010 at 7:43 PM MST

BILLINGS - Allergy season is still months away, but some physicians say the winter might be the best time to get tested.

Billings Clinic Allergist, James Sweet, said patients during allergy season have to stop taking their allergy medicine for up to a week before they can be tested. But if patients are tested during winter months, doctors are able to perform the tests within days.

Sweet says early testing can also lead to better management of symptoms when the allergy season hits.

"If you get treated out of season early in the winter time you can build up to your maintenance dose, so you can be at an effective dose. Where if you start in the season spring or summer, you'll still be building up and maybe you wont reach an effective dose until later or out of season." said Sweet.

There are a number of allergy tests and treatments that can be used to diagnose and aide in seasonal allergies. Dr. Sweet said patients should consult their physicians before deciding which tests and medicines to take.

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