Does a general practice perform allergy testing?

The clinician starts with the timing of symptoms, suspected triggers, medicines, food exposures, and any breathing or skin changes. Depending on the history, testing may involve a skin prick test or a blood test that looks for an immune response to selected allergens. Tests are chosen for a specific clinical question; a broad panel can identify sensitivities that do not explain your symptoms. A practice may offer testing on site, use a partner laboratory, or refer you to an allergy service. Results are interpreted alongside your history rather than treated as a diagnosis by themselves.

Write down what you ate, touched, inhaled, or took before each reaction, how quickly symptoms appeared, and how long they lasted. Bring a list of medicines and describe any previous severe reaction. Do not stop prescribed medicines before testing unless the clinician gives you a safe plan, because some medicines can affect results. Ask whether the proposed test requires preparation and how results will change your care.

Call emergency services immediately for sudden swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat; wheezing or difficulty breathing; faintness; or widespread hives with vomiting after a possible trigger. Use your prescribed adrenaline auto-injector if you have one and follow your emergency action plan. Do not wait for an allergy test during a severe reaction.

Ask which trigger is being investigated, whether skin or blood testing fits your history, how to prepare, and what to do if symptoms recur before results are available.