Allergy & Immunology
McFarland Clinic’s Allergy & Immunology specialists provide evaluation and treatment of immunologic conditions and allergic diseases of the respiratory tract, eyes, and skin for both adults and children. Specific diseases followed by the allergist-immunologist include asthma, hay fever, hives, food allergy, immune deficiency, and evaluation and treatment of eczema.
Education is provided for understanding the disease, environmental control, and proper use of asthma workshops for patients and educational talks for healthcare providers.
Locations & Hours
Ames
1215 Duff Avenue Office
1215 Duff Ave
Ames, IA 50010
Hours
| Monday | 8am-5pm |
| Tuesday | 8am-5pm |
| Wednesday | 8am-5pm |
| Thursday | 8am-5pm |
| Friday | 8am-5pm |
Click here for Allergy Shot hours.
Ankeny
Ankeny Specialty Services
1605 SE Delaware Ave, Suite L
Ankeny, IA 50021
Hours
Please contact the Ankeny Specialty Services Clinic for information regarding hours and scheduling for this outreach clinic.Boone
Boone County Hospital
1015 Union Street
Boone, IA 50036
Hours
Please contact the Allergy Department for information regarding hours and scheduling for this outreach clinic.Carroll
Hours
Please contact the Allergy Department for information regarding hours and scheduling for this outreach clinic.Clarion
Iowa Specialty Hospital - Clarion
1316 South Main Street
Clarion, IA 50525
Hours
Please contact the Allergy Department for information regarding hours and scheduling for this outreach clinic.Iowa Falls
Iowa Falls Office
701 Washington Ave
Iowa Falls, IA 50126
Hours
Please contact the Allergy Department for information regarding hours and scheduling for this outreach clinic.Jefferson
Jefferson Office
106 West Washington Street
Suite 2
Jefferson, IA 50129
Hours
Please contact the Allergy Department for information regarding hours and scheduling for this outreach clinic.Marshalltown
Marshalltown Office
421 East Merle Hibbs Boulevard
Marshalltown, IA 50158
Hours
Please contact the Allergy department for information regarding hours and scheduling for this outreach clinic.Webster City
Webster City Office
510 Bank Street
Webster City, IA 50595
Hours
Please contact the Allergy Department for information regarding hours and scheduling for this outreach clinic.Allergy-Immunology Services
Allergy Testing
- Skin or blood testing for pollens, dust mites, molds animals, and foods
- Stinging insect allergy testing
- Drug allergy testing
- Hay fever
- Hives
- Eczema
- Immune deficiency
- Food allergy testing and oral food challenges
Medications to Stop Taking Before Allergy Testing
Antihistamine medications will block our allergy testing and need to be temporarily stopped before your allergy appointment. See below for specific guidance on which medications to stop and for how long.
STOP These Antihistamine Medications 5 Days Before Your Appointment
- Atarax, Vistaril (hydroxyzine)
STOP These Antihistamine Medications 3 Days Before Your Appointment
- Zyrtec (cetirizine), Xyzal (levocetirizine), Claritin (loratadine), Allegra (fexofenadine), Clarinex (desloratadine)
- Chlor-Trimeton (chlorpheniramine)
- Dimetapp (bropheniramine)
- Phenergan (promethazine)
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
- Sleep aids (Unisom, Tylenol PM, Advil PM, Nyquil, doxylamine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine)
STOP These Local Antihistamine Medications 2 Days Before Your Appointment
- Astepro, Astelin (azelastine) nasal sprays
- Patanase (olopatadine) nasal spray
- Pataday (olopatadine) eye drops
- Alaway, Zaditor (ketotifen) eye drops
STOP These Acid Reflux Medications 2 Days Before Your Appointment
- Pepcid (famotidine)
- Tagamet (cimetidine)
DO NOT STOP the following medications
These medications do not interfere with allergy testing.
- Asthma inhalers. Continue taking your asthma inhalers as prescribed.
- Singulair (montelukast) - oral medication, no need to stop.
- Steroid nasal sprays: Flonase (fluticasone), Nasonex (mometasone), Nasacort (triamcinolone), Rhinocort (budesonide), QNASL (beclomethasone)
Other Considerations
Some mental health medications can also affect the results of allergy testing. Let your allergist know if you are on any antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, or sleep aids before your test, but do not stop them without consulting your prescribing doctor.
Examples of mental health medications that may affect skin testing include:
- Amitriptyline, nortriptyline, doxepin, Compazine (prochlorperazine), trazodone, olanzapine, quetiapine, Abilify (aripiprazole)
Allergy Shots
- Immunotherapy
Allergy Shot Clinic Hours
|
Monday |
7:30 - 11:30 am, 1:00 - 4:20 pm |
|
Tuesday |
8:00 am - 1:20 pm, 2:30 - 4:20 pm |
|
Wednesday |
8:00 - 11:30 am, 1:00 - 4:20 pm |
|
Thursday |
8:00 - 11:30 am, 1:00 - 4:20pm |
|
Friday |
7:30 - 11:30 am, 1:00 - 4:20 pm |
Evaluation and Testing for Asthma
- Pulmonary Function Testing
- Complete lung function testing including exercise inhalation challenge
Patient Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I expect at my appointment?
You should expect a consult with the doctor to go over your history. Allergy testing may be offered if indicated. Patients need to be off antihistamines for 3 days prior to the appointment in order to do allergy testing. If there are asthma concerns, you may be given a breathing test.
Do I need to stop any medications before allergy testing?
Yes. Please refer to this list of medications to stop taking before allergy testing and contact us with any specific questions.
Video Resources
Over the Counter Allergy Medicines
McFarland Clinic Allergist-Immunologist Jay Brown, MD discusses over-the-counter allergy medicines.
Pet Allergies
McFarland Clinic Allergist-Immunologist Jay Brown, MD discusses pet allergies.
Mold Allergy Triggers
McFarland Clinic Allergist-Immunologist Jay Brown, MD discusses mold allergy triggers.
Patient Education
Important Links
American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology
The AAAAI is the largest professional organization in the United States devoted to the field of allergy/immunology, with more than 6,500 members dedicated to improving the lives of people with allergies, asthma and other conditions.
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
FAAN's mission is to raise public awareness, provide advocacy and education, and advance research on behalf of all those affected by food allergies and anaphylaxis.
