Order Your Own Allergy Screen — Inhalants with My Lab ReQuest™

As one of the leading causes of chronic illness in the United States, allergies affect millions of Americans each year. For residents of Arizona, allergies can be especially problematic given the allergens that are present in our desert climate. With My Lab ReQuest, you can take charge of your health by ordering your own allergy screen for inhalants and identifying the allergens that are affecting your health.

By ordering your own allergy screen, you can identity the allergens that you’re allergic to and begin to take measures to modify your activities or begin a discussion with a medical provider as to possible medical treatments. Don’t wait to get tested! Order your screening at any of our 70 Patient Service Centers across Arizona and get on the path towards allergy relief.

Why Order Your Own Allergy Screen – Inhalants with My Lab ReQuest?

Since the passage of the law in 2015 that allows for consumers in Arizona to order their own lab tests, thousands of patients have used our My Lab ReQuest service to take charge of their health and make more informed healthcare decisions. Our Allergy Screen — Inhalants is just one of over 50 tests we offer to patients to assess their health or monitor chronic conditions.

Patients choose Sonora Quest Laboratories to meet their lab testing needs for a wide range of reasons, including:

Award-Winning Quality

As the nation's largest integrated laboratory system, Sonora Quest Laboratories delivers award-winning quality services every day to more than 23,000 patients across Arizona. We are the #1 bioscience company in Arizona, according to Ranking Arizona, and we are also the only healthcare company to even win the Arizona Governor's Award for Quality. Most importantly, we are accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), the organization whose accreditation ensures the highest standard of care for laboratory patients.

Convenient Locations

Schedule an appointment or walk in to any of our 70 Patient Service Centers located across Arizona! We have over 45 locations in Metro Phoenix, 14 locations in Tucson and Southern Arizona, and various other locations across Northern and Western Arizona. Moreover, several of our locations are conveniently located inside of Safeway markets so that you can plan your screening around your trip to your neighborhood grocery store.

Learn More about Allergies

What are allergies?

An allergy is an abnormal response from the body’s immune system. Certain substances, commonly referred to as allergens, may trigger these abnormal responses from the body. When the body has an allergic response to an allergen, a person may experience symptoms such as sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, itchy/watery eyes, skin rash, hives, or stomach problems such as cramps, diarrhea, or vomiting.

Allergies are a common condition and often start in childhood. In fact, according to the CDC, over 50 million people in the United States suffer from allergies each year. Still, it’s important to note that not all allergy sufferers are equally impacted by allergies. Some allergy suffers experience minor discomfort from allergies while other allergy sufferers may experience more severe symptoms.

Allergies in Arizona

While each individual has specific allergens that may cause him or her allergies, the area in which you live can also impact your allergies. Living in Arizona, individuals may be exposed to different allergens that can cause allergic reactions. This is a result of the ragweed, dust, and other allergens that are commonly found in our desert environment. Because of this, allergy sufferers living in Arizona can benefit from the diagnosis of their allergen sources and the development of a treatment plan customized to their needs.

In Arizona, the two largest metropolitan areas, Phoenix and Tucson, have been recognized as two of the most difficult places to live in the United States for allergy sufferers. In fact, in a 2011 study published by Quest Diagnostics, Phoenix ranked as the second worst big city in the United States for allergies. This report also rated Phoenix as the worst city for ragweed allergies. Tucson has been recognized as the third worst city in the west for spring allergies by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Common Irritants

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, there are seven categories of common allergens. These categories are:

• Drug
  
  
• Food
  
  
• Insects
  
  
• Latex
  
  
• Mold
  
  
• Pet
  
  
• Pollen

Each of these allergens may cause different reactions and symptoms in individuals. Fortunately, once diagnosed with an allergy, an individual may be able to take steps to reduce or avoid exposure to the allergen that causes these reactions or symptoms.

Allergy symptoms/Who should get tested?

If you have allergies, getting tested will allow you find out what you’re allergic to so that you can take steps to better manage your condition. The following symptoms may indicate that you have an allergy and may wish to consider an allergy test:

• Frequent sneezing
  
  
• Runny or stuffy nose with clear mucus
  
  
• Itchy, watery eyes
  
  
• Skin rash
  
  
• Hives (raised, itchy area on the skin)
  
  
• Stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting

The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology also offers an online Asthma and Allergy Symptom test to help you evaluate if you are at risk for allergies.

About the Allergy Screen — Inhalants

With My Lab ReQuest, you can order your own allergy screen to determine if you’re allergic to the following inhalants:

• Acacia Tree
  
  
• Alternaria alternata (mold)
  
  
• Bermuda Grass
  
  
• Cat Epithelium & Dander
  
  
• Common Ragweed
  
  
• Dermatophagoides farinae (dust mite)
  
  
• Dog Dander
  
  
• Elm Tree
  
  
• German Cockroach
  
  
• Kentucky Blue Grass
  
  
• Oak Tree
  
  
• Russian Thistle
  
  
• Sheep Sorell

Once you have identified which, if any, of these allergens you are allergic to, a medical provider can then assist you in developing an appropriate treatment plan to manage your condition.

Management and Treatment of Allergies

Depending on the severity of your allergies, different treatment options may be available to you. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, the most common methods for managing and treating allergies are:

• Avoiding allergens
  
  
• Taking allergy medicines as prescribed
  
  
• If you are at risk for anaphylaxis, keeping your epinephrine auto-injectors with you at all times
  
  
• Keeping a diary to track your symptoms and what you did or ate that may have caused or worsened your symptoms
  
  
• Knowing what to do if you have an allergic reaction

Using one of these methods, or a combination of them, should assist you in managing and treating your allergies. For assistance with determining the best strategy to manage your allergies, please contact your medical provider.

Resources

If you have allergies, there are additional resources available that can help you with the management of your condition. The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology offers a comprehensive guide that covers common questions about allergies and available treatments.

Additionally, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America has free actions plans and guides that individuals can use to develop plans in case of an emergency and to help make environments better for allergy sufferers. You can also use the free “Ask the Allergist” service that allows you to request general advice about managing asthma/allergies, medications, or treatments.

*It is solely your responsibility to promptly discuss all laboratory test results with a physician. Neither Sonora Quest Laboratories nor its Medical Director will provide interpretation, counseling, consulting, or care recommendations on the basis of any laboratory results provided to you.