New Patient Information
How To Set-up Your First Appointment
To set-up your first appointment, give our office a call at (415) 433-6673. We will review any relevant information, including any medical records we may need, insurance coverage, and which medications to pause taking in order to yield the most accurate testing results.
To send relevant medical records, print out the Medical Records Release Form, fill it out and then send it to your previous allergist (or other applicable physician, i.e. ENT, dermatologist, pulmonologist) to have any relevant records sent to our office before your appointment.
Remember that certain medications may interfere with testing.
- Stay off oral antihistamines for 3-5 days before your appointment, as they can prevent your skin from reacting during testing.
- Beta-Blocker drugs, certain anti-depressants and some muscle relaxants may also interfere with testing.
For a complete list of these medications and the number of days their use must be discontinued before testing, view the second page of the new patient forms (see below). Please consult your prescribing doctor before stopping Beta-blocker medications or MAO-inhibitor antidepressant medications. You must ensure it is safe to stop them for several days.
Prior to your appointment, please submit the New Patient Forms. You may access the paperwork via your appointment confirmation email (which you should have received after scheduling your appointment). Please call our office if you have not received the paperwork.
Make sure all information on this form is correct before submitting. Note names and dosage of all medications you are currently taking including nasal sprays, creams and eye drops.
On the day of your appointment, bring your medical insurance card and a valid photo ID.
Frequently asked questions
How do I provide my old medical records?
How to provide old records - Print out the Medical Records Release Form, fill it out and then send it to your previous allergist (or other applicable physician, i.e. ENT, dermatologist, pulmonologist) to have any relevant records sent to our office before your appointment.
What insurances do you accept?
We accept the following insurances:
- Brown & Toland Medical Group
- Hill Physicians Medical Group
- Blue Cross & Blue Shield
- United Health Care
- Cigna
- Medicare
Unfortunately we do not accept: Kaiser & Medi-Cal
How long are new patient appointments?
Depending on the case, new patient appointments with allergy testing typically last 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Is testing done on the first visit? When do I get my results?
Yes, we aim to provide allergy testing on the first visit and you will receive your results 15 minutes after the test. This too depends on your case.
What allergies does Dr. Davidson test for?
- Seasonal airborne allergens, incl. tree, grass and weed pollens
- Food
- Perennial airborne allergens, incl. dust mites, pets and feathers
- Stinging insect venom
- Contact allergens through a Patch Test
- Penicillin
What is allergy testing?
Allergy testing is usually performed as a skin "prick" test, in which a small amount of allergen is introduced into the very surface of the skin with a slight scrape. In most cases this test is done on the patient's back. There is a blood test for allergies, called Specific IgE testing. However, it is less sensitive than skin testing, takes several days for results and is not covered by all insurances.
Does allergy testing involve needles?
Skin tests are done using Duo-Tips which resemble plastic toothpicks. They are used to scrape the surface of the skin with a specific allergen. In some cases Dr. Davidson decides to perform more sensitive intradermal testing which requires a needle introduced under the surface of the skin.
Will I be able to do my regular activities after allergy testing?
Yes, skin testing does not prevent you from doing any activities. However, you may have red reaction dots or some faded black dots from our marker.
I think I'm allergic to my pet, should I bring in a sample of its hair?
No, this is not necessary. We use extracts designed for testing.
I've been tested for allergies before, should I bring in my old results?
Yes, please send us old allergy test results prior to your appointment, especially if it was done in the last 10 years. You can do this by sending this form to your previous doctor(s): Medical Record Release Form. Do not stress if you cannot find an old test because your most current allergies are usually more important.
What are Beta-Blocker and MAO Inhibitor Drugs?
These drugs present a danger for skin testing and receiving allergy shots. Beta-Blockers are often used for high blood pressure, heart conditions, migraine prevention and sometimes to avoid tremors. Glaucoma eye drops often contain Beta Blocker drugs. MAO Inhibitors are a rarely used, older class of anti-depressants, which have many interactions with other drugs and with foods and wine. Patients are always told about these precautions by their prescribing doctor. These are not SSRIs like Prozac.
What are allergy immunotherapy shots, a.k.a. vaccines for allergy?
Immunotherapy is not a drug. It consists of progressive injections which desensitize you to your allergies such as pollen, mold, dust mites, animal dander, stinging insects, etc. It typically results in fewer and less severe symptoms. Improvement in symptoms is not immediate. It usually takes 3-6 months to begin feeling relief and may take up to 12-24 months for full benefits to be evident. Immunotherapy does not replace efforts to avoid known allergens or the use of allergy medication.
If I go on allergy (immunotherapy) shots, for how long will I need to stay on shots?
Most immunotherapy patients stay on maintenance shots for 3-5 years.
Can I continue on allergy (immunotherapy) shots if I become pregnant?
Yes, allergy shots are not harmful to the fetus but we reduce the dosage to prevent reactions in the mother.
Does Dr. Davidson speak any other languages?
Yes, he speaks Spanish, Hebrew and French.
Does Dr. Davidson see children?
He sees patients ages 12 and older. All minors (patients ags 12 to 17) must be accompanied by an adult.