My 3 options were:

1. Buy a do-it-yourself home allergy testing kit which gets sent to Australia for analysis (about $500)
2. Go to a specialist allergy clinic
3. Go to a doctor and get a referral through the public health system

The DIY test is too expensive I think, so I discarded that option early on.

When I did a Google search for RAST tests, and allergy testing in Tauranga (including Mount Maunganui and Papamoa) the closest place I could find was The Allergy Centre in Hamilton, which is about 1.5 hours away.

So I ended up doing to the family doctor who then referred me to Pathlab who then gave me a list of 4 places in the Tauranga area where I can get this type of allergy test:

List of where to get a RAST Test a.k.a. “skin prick allergy test” in Tauranga

1. 1st Ave Medical Centre
• 16 1st Ave, Tauranga CBD
• 7.30am – 6.00pm M-F + 7.30am – 12noon Saturday
• Phone: (07) 577 4511
2. Papamoa Doctors
• 26 Gravatt Rd, Fashion Island, Papamoa
• 8.30am – 4.00pm
• Phone: (07) 572 3780
3. Palm Springs Medical Centre
• 3 Palm Springs Boulevard, Papamoa
• 8.00am – 12noon
• Phone: (07) 542 9003
4. Welcome Bay Medical Centre
• 2 Awanui Place, Welcome Bay, Tauranga
• 8.00am – 1.00pm
• Phone: (07) 544 9642

Commonly you’ll be tested for 18 allergens, and if you make your own appointment each prick will cost you $5, so that’s $90.

Otherwise, if you get a referral from your doctor (for the visitation fee of $35 – $50 of course), the test is free.

The only other thing you need to know is that you need to stop taking oral antihistamines for 3 – 10 days before your skin prick test so your body doesn’t suppress it’s allergic reaction to the substances.

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