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Do You Have an Allergy to a Medication? Learn the Three Ways We Can Find Out for Sure

Do You Have an Allergy to a Medication? Learn the Three Ways We Can Find Out for Sure

Anyone who has ever used medication has seen the long list of potential side effects listed on the side. In some cases, those side effects cannot be avoided and are worth it for the relief the medication offers. However, it is much more common that the side effects can be avoided by determining what is causing them. Keep reading to learn more about medication allergies and the three ways Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group can help you find relief.

Knowing Your Medication Allergies Could Save Your Life

There are some medications, such as penicillin, that are commonly given and are perfectly safe for nearly everyone. However, for a small percentage of the population, they can be deadly. Knowing which common medications you are allergic to can be a huge issue for your health and safety. If you believe you are allergic to a medication, it is important to contact an allergist right away.

  1. We Start with a Physical Exam and Case History
  2. In some cases, a physical exam and case history can give us all the information we need to determine if you are allergic to something. This involves a detailed questionnaire, asking questions about any medications you are currently on or have been on that caused symptoms and your specific reactions. With our many years of experience, we can intelligently interpret your answers.
  3. Blood Tests
  4. The bad news is that blood tests are by and large only useful for medication allergies on a limited basis. The good news is that they can detect allergies to a few things, such as common antibiotics, insulin, and muscle relaxants. If your physical exam and case history exam of you determines that you might be allergic to one of those medications, and you reacted strongly enough that the third type of test (skin prick test) is not advised, then a blood test can give us the information we need.
  5. Skin Prick Tests
  6. The most commonly used option in allergy testing, skin prick tests, might give false positives in certain situations, but they do give very reliable negative results. As a result, they can be instrumental in ruling out certain medications that you could be allergic to. We can perform skin prick tests in our office.

Are You Ready to Determine if You Are Allergic to Medication?

If you are ready to find out what your best options are, then we welcome you to contact Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group at 805-658-9500. We will start with an initial exam in which we will go over your history, your concerns, and your wellness. Call us now, and we can get your appointment made as soon as possible.