Scratch Testing 

Scratch testing (also called skin prick testing) is a speedy, clever way to check for allergies—think of it as your immune system’s pop quiz. A tiny amount of allergen is placed on your skin, which is then gently scratched or pricked. If your immune system “remembers” the substance, you’ll get a small, itchy bump—think mosquito bite, but with a message about your allergies.

Scratch testing is the gold standard for detecting environmental and airborne (inhalant) allergies—the ones that make you sneeze, wheeze, or itch. It accurately reveals allergies to pollen (trees, grasses, weeds), pet dander (cats, dogs), molds, and dust mites.

Commonly tested allergens are:

• Tree mix, grass mix, weed mix, and pollens (the greatest hits of spring/summer sniffles).
• Dust mites, molds, and pet dander (cats, dogs).
• Positive & negative controls, to benchmark your skin’s response and accuracy of the results.

Your panel will be customized based on BC’s most relevant allergens—and your exposure history.

Scratch testing is safe, quick, and minimally invasive for children and adults alike, with an outstanding safety record in pediatric clinics and hospitals. Most kids experience only a small, temporary bump or mild itch—akin to a mosquito bite—that fades within an hour. Complications are extremely rare; serious allergic reactions are almost unheard of when the test is performed by trained staff with proper equipment on hand.

In fact, scratch testing is widely used to diagnose allergies in children as young as infancy, and is specifically designed to be gentle and low-stress for little ones—nurses and doctors use distraction, comfort strategies, and careful monitoring throughout the process. If your child is experiencing an asthma flare, the test may be delayed for safety, but otherwise it’s an easy, child-friendly way to get answers about common allergens.

Yes, antihistamines (Claritin, Reactine, Benadryl, Allegra, etc.) and anti-allergy supplements (quercetin, stinging nettle, high-dose vitamin C) should be stopped a few days before testing (exact timing depends on medication). Otherwise, your skin’s immune system gets “numbed out,” giving false negatives. 

No need for a double booking! Scratch testing can be performed right during your visit—no extra trip, no extra stress. It’s a team sport: we’ll prep, test, and interpret results all in one appointment.

A positive result means you’ll see a raised, red bump (much like a mosquito bite) that confirms your immune system recognizes the substance as a trigger. It’s quick, mildly itchy—most say no worse than an unexpected bug bite. We’ll explain what it means, how big a deal it is, and tailor a whole-body plan to help you outsmart those pesky allergens.

Absolutely! Scratch testing is just the first chapter in a whole-body naturopathic allergy plan. Results help guide smarter, targeted strategies—like supporting gut health, calming inflammation, balancing immune responses, and optimizing your environment. Instead of just dodging triggers, we look at root causes and build your resilience from the inside out.

For those ready to rewrite their allergy story, sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a powerful next step. SLIT uses daily allergen drops or tablets under the tongue to gradually retrain your immune system. Clinical studies show that after 1.5 years, 70–80% of people notice major improvements—fewer symptoms, less need for medication, sometimes lasting years even after stopping therapy. True "cure" and long-term remission are most likely after 3 years of SLIT, but significant relief shines through as early as 18 months, especially for pollen, dust mites, and grass allergies.

Other Evidence-Based Allergy Management Options:

Quercetin

• Action: Plant flavonoid that stabilizes mast cells, reducing histamine release.

• Clinical Data: Small trials show quercetin (500–1,000 mg/day) can reduce allergy symptoms by up to 50%, especially for seasonal allergies, though more robust RCTs are needed for definitive efficacy.

• Sources: Found in onions, apples, capers, supplements.

• Safety: Generally well-tolerated at recommended doses; rare reports of headache or GI upset.

Antihistamines (H1 antagonists)

• Common Agents: Cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine, diphenhydramine.

• Efficacy: Block histamine receptors, reducing sneezing, itching, rhinorrhea, and tearing. Reduces symptom scores by 60–80% in acute allergic rhinitis.

• Onset: Non-sedating types (e.g., loratadine, cetirizine) act within 1–2 hours.

• Safety: Non-sedating agents rarely cause drowsiness; first-generation antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine) may cause sedation and anticholinergic side effects.

Sodium Cromolyn

• Formulations: Nasal spray, ophthalmic drops, oral solution.

• Action: Mast cell stabilizer that prevents histamine release upon allergen challenge.

• Clinical Data: Nasal cromolyn reduces sneeze and nasal itch scores by 40–60% when used 4 times daily. Eye drops relieve allergic conjunctivitis within 15 minutes.

• Safety: Well-tolerated; occasional local irritation.

Nasal Steroids

• Common Agents: Fluticasone, mometasone, budesonide.

• Efficacy: Reduce nasal congestion, sneezing, itching, and rhinorrhea. In meta-analyses, decrease overall symptom scores by 70–90% in moderate-to-severe allergic rhinitis.

• Onset: Effects begin within hours, peak after a few days of consistent use.

• Safety: Minimal systemic absorption; occasional local side effects (nosebleed, irritation).

Allergen Avoidance

• Strategies: HEPA filters, allergen-proof bedding, limiting outdoor activities during high pollen counts, showering after exposure.

• Data: Reduces home allergen load by 80%+ (HEPA), improves symptom scores, especially in dust-mite and pet allergies.

Natural Supports

• Vitamin C: Mild antihistamine effects; small studies show minor symptom reduction at 2 grams/day.

• Stinging Nettle: Herbal remedy; in one RCT, 58% reported symptom improvement compared to placebo.

• Butterbur: In head-to-head trials, comparable symptom relief to cetirizine (non-sedating antihistamine).

Lifestyle & Prevention

• Routine cleaning, regular washing of clothes/hair, use of air purifiers: These reduce allergen load and incident allergic reactions (measurable improvement in symptom scores within weeks of adopting these practices).

Bottom line: Your custom allergy action plan starts with good testing—then builds real resilience and lasting results using all the tools modern naturopathic medicine has to offer.