Allergy Testing And Treatment Specialist

Jeffery Tun, MD

Primary Care Physician located in Midtown East, New York, NY & Forest Hills, NY

An allergic reaction happens when your body’s immune system overreacts to a substance that isn’t usually harmful. These reactions can sometimes be life-threatening. At the practice of Jeffery Tun, MD, in Manhattan’s Midtown East neighborhood and Forest Hills, Queens, in New York City, you benefit from comprehensive allergy testing to determine your allergic reaction’s precise cause. Knowing your triggers can help you and your provider manage your symptoms more effectively. To learn more about allergy testing and how it can benefit you, call for an appointment today or use the online booking tool.

Allergy Testing and Treatment Q&A

What is allergy testing?

When you have allergies, your immune system overreacts to a particular substance that isn’t usually a threat. These substances are called allergens. Common ones include:

Pollen
Dust mites
Animal dander
Specific foods
Mold
Weeds
Trees
Grass

To determine which substances trigger your symptoms, Dr. Tun does an in-office skin or blood test.

When should I get tested for allergies?

If your symptoms suggest that you have an allergy, you should get tested, regardless of your age. Common allergy symptoms include:

Nasal congestion
Runny nose
Chronic cough
Wheezing
Itchy eyes, nose, and/or throat
Skin conditions like eczema, hives, or persistent itchiness
Diarrhea or abdominal pain after eating some foods

A life-threatening symptom is called anaphylaxis. This usually happens when you eat certain foods, take certain medications, or are stung by an insect.

What types of allergy tests are available?

A few allergy tests are available to you. The most common tests include:

Scratch Technique

Your provider introduces a small amount of allergen to your skin by making a small puncture with a plastic applicator that contains the allergen extract.

Blood Tests

This test involves a blood draw to determine if you have allergic antibodies. This type of test doesn’t require you to stop medications that interfere with skin tests, and it’s a good alternative if you have skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.

Dr. Tun interprets your results carefully, coupling them with a review of your medical history and a physical exam.

How does allergy testing decide treatment?

Allergy testing identifies which substances trigger your allergic reactions, allowing you and Dr. Tun to manage your symptoms more effectively.

Treatments range from reducing your exposure to what triggers your allergy, to immunotherapy, allergy shots or drops. Allergen immunotherapy helps your body develop an immunity or tolerance to allergens so that your allergies are essentially cured. This means that you no longer have to take medicine to manage your symptoms.

Immunotherapy gradually introduces you to small doses of your trigger allergens so that you build immunity over time. You usually get weekly injections or take the allergen under your tongue (sublingual) for a month or longer.

Immunotherapy is a good choice for people who need a long-term solution but don’t get enough relief from medications.

If you’d like to schedule an allergy test, call the practice of Jeffery Tun, MD, today, or use the online booking tool.

What we offer