Final answer:
It is advisable to give an allergy test before applying allergy medications. This is important to ensure accurate identification of allergens. Allergists conduct skin tests to diagnose allergies and may prescribe immunotherapy to alleviate symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is crucial to refrain from taking allergy medications before undergoing an allergy test.
This is because medications can affect the accuracy of the results by suppressing the allergic response, making it harder to identify the specific allergens causing symptoms.
Allergists often perform skin tests to determine the cause of a patient’s allergic reactions.
Skin testing involves introducing potential allergens to the skin and observing the reaction, typically a wheal and flare response, which indicates a type I hypersensitivity.
Immunotherapy, commonly referred to as "allergy shots," may follow to desensitize the patient's immune system to the allergens over time.