Preparing For Your Appointment

Your child's first visit to our clinic is a longer appointment and you should plan to be here for 2-3 hours. The initial appointment may include breathing tests, skin testing and/or bloodwork as the physician deems appropriate. ALL new patients are seen by one of our Allergy physicians.

In order to get the most out of your initial consult visit with us, PLEASE read this carefully BEFORE your appointment:

Many medications can block skin testing, and MUST be stopped 5-7 days (ideally 7) prior to your appointment! These include, but are not limited to:

• Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
• Loratadine (Claritin)
• Allegra (fexofenadine)
• Levocetirizine (Xyzal)
• Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)
• Atarax (Hydroxyzine)
• Antihistamine eye drops
• Antihistamine nasal sprays (Azelastine)
• Benadryl-containing cold medications
• Many “cold & sinus” medications
• Reflux medications like Pepcid (famotidine)
• Tagamet (cimetidine)

If you cannot stop these medications because of persistent symptoms (ex: severe allergies or hives), that is OK – alternative means of testing will be discussed at the appointment.

Please continue all asthma medications (i.e. inhalers and Singulair (Montelukast), PPI reflux medications (Nexium, Omeprazole) and steroid nasal sprays (i.e. Flonase, Nasonex).

Checking in for your appointment

When you arrive, registration-desk staff will be verifying our record information and may ask to see your insurance card. If there is not a current referral and/or precertification sent as required, you will be responsible for your bill. You can confirm with your referring physician or your insurance company that appropriate referrals have been completed. Co-payments will be collected at our registration desk.

We look forward to meeting you!