Patient Information
Everything you need to prepare for your visit — from what to bring and what to stop before testing, to how our most common procedures work.
Before Your First Visit
Important: Stop all antihistamines (Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec, Benadryl, Xyzal, etc.) at least 5–7 days before your appointment. Do not stop asthma inhalers or other daily medications. Call us if you are unsure about a specific medication.
Stop Antihistamines 5–7 Days Before
Antihistamines interfere with allergy skin testing results. Please stop taking them at least 5–7 days before your appointment. This includes Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec, Benadryl, Xyzal, and any other antihistamine. If you are unsure whether a medication counts, call our office before your visit.
Do NOT Stop Your Other Medications
Continue taking your asthma inhalers, blood pressure medications, and any other daily medications as prescribed. Only antihistamines need to be stopped before testing. Call us if you have any questions about a specific medication.
Bring Your Current Medications
Bring a list of all current medications — or the bottles themselves — to your first visit. It is also helpful to tell us what has been prescribed in the past, even if you are no longer taking it.
Bring Your Insurance Card
Please bring your insurance card and a referral from your primary care physician if your plan requires one. Most plans do not require a referral, but check with your insurer in advance. Your co-payment will be collected at the time of your visit.
What to Wear
Allergy tests are typically performed on the back. Wearing comfortable clothes makes the process more comfortable.
Plan for 2–4 Hours
Your first visit includes a detailed history, physical exam, allergy testing, lung function testing, sometimes a breathing treatment and more lung function testing. We will review your results and discuss a treatment plan before you leave.
Common Procedures
Allergy Skin Prick Testing
Skin prick testing is the most common way to identify what you are allergic to. A small amount of each allergen is applied to the skin on your forearm (or back for children) using a sterile plastic device. A positive reaction produces a small, itchy raised spot — similar to a mosquito bite — within 15–20 minutes. Results are available immediately, allowing us to build your treatment plan at the same visit. Antihistamines must be stopped 5–7 days before this test.
Allergy Blood Testing (Specific IgE)
Blood testing measures specific IgE antibodies to identify allergen sensitivities. It is a good option for patients who cannot stop antihistamines or have certain skin conditions. Results typically take about a week to return. We use blood testing alongside or instead of skin testing depending on your situation.
Lung Function Testing (Spirometry)
Spirometry measures how much air you can move in and out of your lungs and how quickly. You simply breathe into a device as hard and fast as you can. It is painless and takes about 15 minutes. We use spirometry to diagnose and monitor asthma and other breathing conditions, and to track how well your treatment is working over time.
Oral Food Challenges
A supervised oral food challenge is the most accurate way to confirm or rule out a food allergy. Under close medical supervision, you consume gradually increasing amounts of the suspected food while we monitor for any reaction. Challenges are scheduled as separate appointments and require you to remain in the office for several hours.
Drug Allergy Evaluation & Penicillin Testing
If you have a history of reacting to a medication, we can evaluate whether a true allergy exists. Penicillin skin testing followed by a graded oral challenge is the gold standard for evaluating penicillin allergy. Many patients labeled as penicillin-allergic are not truly allergic, and safely removing that label opens up better treatment options.
Allergy Shot Patients
If you are receiving allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots), please review the following guidelines to ensure your safety and the effectiveness of your treatment.
Always check in at the front desk before receiving your injection. Do not receive your shot if you are feeling ill, have a fever, or are experiencing increased allergy or asthma symptoms — call us first.
You are required to wait in the office for 30 minutes after each injection so we can monitor for any reaction. Please do not leave early.
Avoid vigorous exercise for at least two hours after your injection. Heat and exertion can increase the risk of a reaction.
Shot Day Reminders
- Check in at the front desk before every shot
- Do not get your shot if you are sick or symptomatic
- Wait 30 minutes in the office after each injection
- Avoid vigorous exercise for 2 hours after your shot
- Bring your shot vial if you received it from another provider
Insurance We Accept
We work with most major insurance plans in Utah. Please call our office to verify your specific plan and benefits before your appointment.
Insurance coverage varies by plan. Please contact your insurance provider and our office to confirm coverage prior to your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Patient Resources
Helpful links from trusted allergy and asthma organizations to support your care.
Allergy & Asthma Network
Patient education, advocacy, and practical guides for managing allergies and asthma.
https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
Condition overviews, treatment information, and tools to find board-certified specialists.
https://www.aaaai.org/US Hereditary Angioedema Association
Resources, support, and clinical information for patients living with hereditary angioedema.
https://www.haea.org/SM Pathways
Education and support resources for patients with systemic mastocytosis and mast cell disorders.
https://www.smpathways.com/Ready to Schedule Your Visit?
Call or text our Riverton office and we will get you set up with the right provider.