Testing helps our Austin allergists determine if a ragweed allergy is causing symptoms

Ragweed, a noxious weed that creates misery from August through November, produces a fine, powdery pollen that causes annoying allergy symptoms during late summer and fall. If this time of year makes you feel miserable, you may want to see our Austin allergists for ragweed allergy testing to determine if ragweed is the allergen that triggers your symptoms.

Ragweed allergy symptoms

Ragweed most often causes weed allergies. It pops up everywhere from country roads to city gardens, and the fine, powdery pollen that the plant produces can cause uncomfortable symptoms.

• Sneezing
• Itchy eyes, nose, mouth, throat and ears
• Red, watery eyes or swelling
• Runny nose
• Nasal congestion
• Headaches
• Increased wheezing, coughing
• Aggravated asthma symptoms

While ragweed allergies can be treated with medications, some patients require immunotherapy and ragweed allergy testing.

How ragweed allergy testing is performed

Our Austin allergists perform ragweed allergy testing with allergy skin testing or a specific IgE blood test. The skin-prick test is the method we usually employ when testing for ragweed allergies.

• Skin-prick testing is a fast, easy method. During this test, we use the most up-to-date technology that allows us to administer eight allergens to the skin at once. We administer the allergens to the skin, usually of the forearm, and we wait approximately 15 to 20 minutes to evaluate the skin, looking for reactions such as raised, red bumps.
• The IgE blood test is appropriate for patients who may be taking certain medications that can interfere with ragweed allergy testing or for those who have skin conditions. This simply involves collecting a blood sample and sending it to a laboratory. The test measures the amount of antibodies your blood produces to attack the specific allergen(s) added to your blood sample in the lab.

After ragweed allergy testing is complete, we can determine whether allergy shots or allergy drops will help to relieve your symptoms.

Our board-certified Austin allergists always supervise allergy testing

We know that the thought of allergy testing can make people feel nervous, but our Austin allergists and our staff are experienced at administering testing in the fastest, most painless way possible. If you or your family is suffering during ragweed season, contact us. We can help relieve your symptoms.