Fort Worth Allergy Specialists – Allergy Testing
The physicians at Fort Worth ENT & Sinus offer comprehensive allergy testing and treatment for adults and children. Our goal is to identify the specific allergens contributing to your symptoms and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you breathe easier and feel better year-round.
Could Allergies Be Causing Your Symptoms?
Allergies are one of the most common causes of:
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Postnasal drip
- Sneezing
- Itchy or watery eyes
- Sinus pressure
- Recurrent sinus infections
- Ear pressure or fullness
- Chronic cough
Many patients suffer from these symptoms for years without knowing exactly what triggers them.
Sinus Problems and Allergies Often Go Hand-in-Hand
Allergies can contribute to chronic inflammation within the nose and sinuses, leading to congestion, drainage, facial pressure, and recurrent sinus infections.
Because Fort Worth ENT combines allergy care with comprehensive sinus treatment, our physicians can evaluate both conditions and create a treatment plan designed to address the root cause of your symptoms.
Allergy Testing for Adults and Children
Fort Worth ENT & Sinus provides in-office allergy skin testing and treatment for patients ages 10 and older. Allergy testing can help identify specific environmental allergens that may be contributing to your symptoms, including:
- Tree pollen
- Grass pollen
- Weed pollen
- Mold
- Dust mites
- Pet dander
Skin prick testing remains one of the most reliable and widely used methods for diagnosing environmental allergies. Prior to testing, your medical history will be reviewed and you will receive instructions regarding medications that may interfere with accurate results.
Why Consider Allergy Testing?
If you experience chronic congestion, frequent sinus infections, postnasal drainage, or allergy symptoms that persist despite medications, allergy testing can help identify the underlying cause.
Rather than simply treating symptoms, testing allows us to determine exactly what may be triggering your allergies and recommend targeted treatment options.
Types of Allergy Testing
Skin Prick Testing
Skin prick testing is one of the most commonly used methods for diagnosing environmental allergies. Small amounts of allergens are applied to the skin and evaluated for a reaction.
Intradermal Testing
Intradermal testing involves placing a small amount of allergen just beneath the skin’s surface. This method can identify allergies that may not be detected through skin prick testing alone and helps determine the degree of sensitivity to specific allergens.
Patch Testing
Patch testing is commonly used to evaluate contact dermatitis and delayed allergic reactions. Allergens are applied to the skin using adhesive patches that remain in place for approximately 48 hours before evaluation.
Specific IgE Blood Testing
Specific IgE (sIgE) blood testing is performed through laboratory analysis of a blood sample and may be recommended when skin testing is not appropriate or additional information is needed.
Personalized Allergy Treatment
After testing is completed, our allergy specialists will review your results and discuss treatment options that may include:
- Environmental avoidance strategies
- Allergy medications
- Nasal sprays
- Allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots)
- Sublingual immunotherapy (allergy drops)
Many patients experience significant improvement in their symptoms when treatment is tailored to their specific allergy profile.
Schedule an Allergy Consultation Today
If you’re tired of dealing with congestion, postnasal drip, sinus pressure, or recurring sinus infections, our team can help.
Contact Fort Worth ENT & Sinus today to schedule an allergy evaluation and learn whether allergy testing may be right for you.
Already scheduled for your allergy skin test? Click here to see a copy of your testing instructions
Common Allergy Conditions
Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)
Allergic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal passages caused by exposure to allergens. Symptoms commonly include sneezing, congestion, runny nose, postnasal drip, and itchy eyes.
Allergic Asthma
Many patients with asthma have underlying allergic triggers. Identifying and treating allergies can often improve asthma control and reduce symptom flare-ups.
Food Allergies
Food allergies can develop at any age and may cause symptoms ranging from mild reactions to severe allergic responses. Food allergy evaluation may include blood testing and consultation with your physician.
Mold Allergies
Mold allergies commonly cause congestion, runny nose, coughing, wheezing, itchy eyes, and other symptoms that may occur throughout the year.
Cold, Flu, or Allergies?
Many allergy symptoms can resemble a cold or the flu. However, allergies often occur repeatedly or seasonally and commonly include sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, and clear nasal drainage.
Unlike allergies, viral illnesses are more likely to cause fever, body aches, and fatigue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Surgery is usually considered only after medical treatments like antibiotics, nasal sprays, or observation have not worked. If your child has frequent infections, ongoing breathing or sleep problems, or repeated ear infections affecting daily life, your ENT specialist may recommend surgery based on symptom history and exam findings.
No. Research shows that removing the tonsils and adenoids does not increase the risk of frequent infections. Other lymph tissue in the body continues to protect the immune system, and many children actually get sick less often after surgery.
Tonsils rarely grow back after a complete tonsillectomy. Adenoids, however, can rarely regrow, especially in very young children. If symptoms return, further evaluation by an ENT may be needed.
You should contact the doctor immediately if your child has bright red bleeding, trouble breathing, signs of dehydration (very little urine, dry mouth), or a fever over 102°F. Mild pain, bad breath, and low-grade fever are common during recovery and usually improve with time.
Keeping your child well-hydrated is the most important step. Offer fluids frequently, provide soft foods, give pain medication exactly as prescribed, and encourage rest. Staying calm and reassuring your child can also make recovery easier for both of you.