Do I need to stop antihistamines before seeing an allergist?

Yes — standard oral antihistamines such as cetirizine, loratadine, and fexofenadine should be stopped at least 5–7 days before allergy skin prick testing. Always confirm the exact stop period with your clinic, as protocols vary. Steroid nasal sprays and asthma inhalers do not need to be stopped.

What should I bring to an allergist appointment?

Bring a symptom and trigger diary covering the past two weeks, a complete list of all medications and supplements you take, records of any previous allergic reactions, and a list of questions. If you carry an adrenaline auto-injector, bring it to the appointment.

What happens at a first allergy appointment?

Your allergist will take a detailed history of your symptoms, triggers, and medication use. Depending on what antihistamines you have stopped, they may perform skin prick testing on the forearm and review results within 20 minutes, or arrange blood tests (specific IgE) if skin testing is not possible.

How long does allergy skin testing take?

The skin prick test itself takes about 5 minutes to apply and 15–20 minutes to read. The full first allergy appointment, including history-taking and result discussion, typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes.

Can I see an allergist without a referral in Singapore?

Private allergy clinics in Singapore generally accept direct appointments without a referral. Specialist clinics at restructured hospitals (NUH, SGH, KKH) require a GP referral. A referral also allows Medisave or insurance to be applied to consultation fees in most cases.

How to Prepare for an Allergist or Immunologist Appointment

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For US Readers — At-Home Allergy Testing & Immunotherapy

If you are managing ongoing allergies in the US and want to explore treatment options before or between specialist appointments, Curex offers personalised at-home allergy testing and sublingual immunotherapy programmes — a convenient option for patients waiting on a specialist referral or looking to supplement ongoing treatment. (Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.)

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