Thank you for choosing Covenant Allergy & Asthma Care, PLLC for your asthma and allergy needs. Dr. Raschal looks forward to meeting you and discussing your health concerns.
As a new patient, there are several things we need to make you aware of before your visit.
- Your appointment will last approximately 4 hours. Please feel free to bring any peanut and nut free snacks you would like. We also have free Wi-Fi for your laptop.
- DO NOT take any antihistamines 3-5 days prior to your appointment. Provided is a list of common antihistamines.
- Part of your appointment may include a treadmill exercise challenge. Please wear comfortable clothing and gym shoes.
- Fees for a typical new patient appointment can range from $500-$800 after insurance contract adjustments. Please review your insurance benefits, co-pays and in particular your deductible amount. For example, if you have a $500 deductible that has not been met; you will need to pay that amount at the time of service. If your insurance company requires a referral to our office, please obtain this prior to your visit.
- Any cancellations must be made at least 24 hours prior. If the appointment is not cancelled 24 hours prior, you will be charged a $100 cancellation fee.
Please fill out a current medication / drug allergies sheet and either mail them to us prior to your appointment or you may also bring them with you when you come for your appointment.
If the patient is a child, we will provide a prescription for EMLA Cream in your new patient packet. This is a numbing cream that desensitizes the skin so that the skin prick testing will not be as uncomfortable.
Thank you for intrusting us with your medical care. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to seeing you!
Common Antihistamines
DO NOT TAKE ANY OF THESE MEDICATIONS 3-5 DAYS BEFORE ALLERGY SKIN TESTING APPOINTMENT
- Allegra (Fexofenadine)
- Alavert
- Claritin (Loratadine)
- Allegra-D
- Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)
- Claritin-D
- Zyrtec (Cetirizine)
- Atarax (Hydroxyzine)
- Clarinex
- Zyrtec-D
- Xyzal
- Clarinex-D
EMLA CREAM APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
ADULT
Apply THICK layer of EMLA cream to BOTH forearms from wrist to elbow. DO NOT RUB IN. This should be done 30 minutes prior to your appointment.
Wrap treated area with plastic wrap (i.e. Saran Wrap, Glad Wrap) and secure with tape.
CHILDREN—8 years and younger
Apply THICK layer of EMLA cream to entire back from middle of shoulder blades to just above pant line. DO NOT RUB IN. This should be done 30 minutes prior to your child’s appointment.
Wrap treated area with plastic wrap (i.e. Saran Wrap, Glad Wrap) and secure with tape.
CHILDREN—8 years and older
Apply THICK layer of EMLA cream to BOTH forearms from wrist to elbow. DO NOT RUB IN. This should be done 30 minutes prior to your appointment.
Wrap treated area with plastic wrap (i.e. Saran Wrap, Glad Wrap) and secure with tape.
Skin prick tests use plastic pricks that barely break the skin. There is little to no discomfort associated with this testing. Intradermal skin testing does involve using a needle to place a small amount of antigen under the skin. A typical child patient (less than 5 years old) may receive 10 skin pricks and 4 intradermal skin tests. Children older than 5 years old and adults may receive 24-47 skin pricks and 10-24 intradermal skin tests. Typically, EMLA cream is not required for teenagers and adults UNLESS the patient is afraid of needles.