Allergy Center

Allergy Center
203 South 12th Avenue,
Laurel, MS 39440
601.342.2594

Dr. Rusty Stevens – Dr. Jamie Sisk

The Allergy Center of Laurel is the only allergy center in the area to offer intradermal skin testing for allergies. That allows us to do customized medication for a specific allergy.

Skin tests are most useful for diagnosing:

  • Food allergy
  • Mold, pollen, animal, and other allergies that cause allergic rhinitis & asthma
  • Penicillin allergy*
  • Venom allergy
  • Allergic contact dermatitis
  • Intradermal tests are not used to test for food allergies because of high false positive results and the danger of causing a severe allergic reaction.

If skin testing will be performed, you should NOT take antihistamines before the test. This may lead to a false-negative result, falsely reassuring you that a substance is unlikely to cause a severe allergic reaction. Your doctor will tell you which medicines to avoid and when to stop taking them before the test.

When we perform intadermal skin testing, a small amount of each thing you may be allergic to (allergen) is injected under the skin. If you are allergic to an allergen, a bump and redness will develop where the allergen was injected. After a short time, each skin test reaction is measured for swelling and redness.

If we get a large enough skin reaction, it’s considered a positive skin test. This means an allergy may exist to the allergen placed at that site. Your doctor will compare your skin test results with your history of symptoms. Intradermal skin testing often takes 30 to 40 minutes to complete.

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Office Location: 203 South 12th Avenue - Laurel, MS 39440