The allergy immunologists at Penn Medicine have specialized expertise with a diverse range of allergies. This means we are especially skilled at identifying both common allergy conditions as well as the most rare and complex allergies to help patients overcome their impact.
Allergy Testing Using the Latest Scientific Approaches
To accurately diagnose your allergy, our Allergy and Immunology Program team will rely upon personal and family medical history as well as the latest, most advanced techniques. Some of these approaches include:
- Allergy skin testing – This assesses sensitivity to environmental allergens (hay fever), foods, stinging insects, or medications
- Food challenges – This assesses a patient’s tolerance to specific foods (food allergy)
- Drug challenges – This assesses tolerance to specific drugs (drug allergy). Learn more about the Drug Allergy Program
- Lung function test – This assesses the function of the lungs in people with respiratory symptoms
- Fractional concentration of exhaled nitrous oxide (FENO) – This specialized test gauges airway inflammation in people with known or suspected asthma
- Advanced laboratory testing – Testing for disorders of the immune system
- Genetic testing – This will further evaluate immune deficiency and other conditions caused by genetic mutations
Your First Allergy Evaluation: What to Expect
Ensuring that you feel welcome and comfortable during your visit is our team’s top concern. Once you are checked in for your appointment, a member of our team will take your vitals (temperature, weight, height, and blood pressure). They may also perform a lung function test if needed. This information will help your doctor to assess your condition and prescribe the appropriate medication if needed.
When it’s time for your appointment, you may first be seen by one of our fellows. These are licensed internal medicine physicians who are working to become allergy and immunology specialists. As a teaching hospital, it’s important that our fellows interact with and learn from our patients and attending physicians during their training. Our attendings take the information that the fellow gathers from you and incorporates it into their own exam. Then, working together, the attending and fellow will develop your plan of care.
One thing you’ll notice about your appointment with Penn Allergy and Immunology is that it’s longer than a typical primary care appointment. This is because we want to have enough time to gather the information we need to identify your problem and an appropriate allergy and immunology treatment plan.
Request an Appointment
To make an appointment, please call 800-789-7366 or request a callback.