Allergy season causes a lot of unpleasant sneezing, itching and congestion. The first step in tackling those pesky symptoms is to schedule an allergy test to determine what’s causing them.
If you take a skin allergy test, the most common form, we’ll ask you to stop taking antihistamine medications ahead of the test.
Why Do I Need To Stop Taking Antihistamines Before My Allergy Test?
Antihistamines prevent your body from releasing a chemical called histamine. Histamine is the chemical your body releases when it encounters an allergen it’s sensitive to; the chemical causes your allergy symptoms.
Because antihistamines block the symptom-causing chemical, they can prevent your body from reacting to the allergens we introduce to your skin during an allergy test. We look for visual reactions like hives; if histamine prevents those hives from arising, we won’t be able to confirm your allergy.
How Long Before My Allergy Test Should I Stop Taking Antihistamines?
You should avoid antihistamines for five to seven days before your test. If you take non-antihistamine medications, check with your allergist to see if you can continue taking them.
Managing Allergies Without Antihistamines
For people with severe allergies, taking antihistamines out of the equation for even five days can feel like an impossible thing to do. While you may have more severe symptoms leading up to your test, you can minimize them with a technique called allergen avoidance.
Allergen avoidance is the practice of avoiding the allergens you suspect you’re sensitive to. For example, if you believe you’re allergic to grass pollen, rolling around in the grass at Hunter Park is probably not the best idea. Before your allergy test, limit your time in parks and any other environments likely to be full of allergens.
We can use blood testing in lieu of skin testing if your allergies are so severe that it would be dangerous to stop taking your medication.
An estimated 81 million people in the United States have seasonal allergies.[1] Scheduling your allergy test and stopping antihistamines leading up to it will set you on the path towards effective treatment. Contact Eastern Oklahoma Ear Nose and Throat – Yale Office to schedule your appointment today.
[1] Cleveland Clinic. (2025). Allergic rhinitis (hay fever): Symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8622-allergic-rhinitis-hay-fever