We’re happy you’ve chosen our office. Your first visit is the first step in finding the cause of your symptoms and creating a treatment plan that’s right for you.
Your Appointment
Your first visit usually takes 45–60 minutes. During this time, we will:
- Review your medical history
- Go over your symptoms and concerns
- Complete any needed paperwork
- Meet with one of our allergy provider
Please arrive a few minutes early and bring:
- Photo ID
- Insurance card
- A current list of your medications or bring the actual medications you are currently using.
- Any previous allergy testing or relevant medical records, if available
Your Consultation
Your first visit is a consultation only. Allergy testing is not done at this appointment.
Your provider will review your symptoms, medical history, family history, home and work environment, and any previous treatments. This helps us decide what kind of allergy testing is needed and which tests will provide the most helpful answers. Breathing test (spirometry) may be added to your testing if appropriate.
Why Isn’t Testing Done on the First Visit?
Not everyone needs the same allergy tests. Doing too many tests can sometimes find “positive” results that are not actually causing your symptoms. This can lead to confusion and unnecessary changes to your treatment or lifestyle.
In addition, some medications—especially allergy medications—and other factors can affect test results. If these are not stopped before testing, they can cause false-negative results, meaning the test may miss allergies that are actually present.
By meeting with you first, we can choose the right tests and make sure you’re properly prepared before testing. This helps us get the most accurate and meaningful results.
What’s Next?
If allergy testing is recommended, we’ll schedule it for a separate visit. We’ll also give you instructions on how to prepare, including any medications you may need to stop before testing.
Our Goal
Our goal is to provide personalized allergy care from your very first visit. By taking the time to understand your health history before ordering testing, we can make the most accurate diagnosis and create a treatment plan that’s right for you.