|
||
It is helpful to know about your allergy testing options before you go to the doctor. The type of allergy testing depends on what you suspect you are allergic to and the severity of your reaction. Some tests work better than others depending on your case. Your allergy testing map ends at 3 different destinations.
The 3 type of tests are:
*Scratch Tests
*Elimination Diets
*Blood Tests
Scratch tests are the most common form of allergy testing conducted today. The results can be seen as quickly as twenty minutes. The actual test is conducted by placing a small amount of the suspected allergen onto the surface of the skin, usually along the spine or on the upper arm. The patient is then scratched or pricked on the same area allowing some of the substance to penetrate the skin. The area is then observed to see whether the patient has an allergic reaction such as swelling, redness or itching. This method of allergy testing is quick and can cover quite a range of possible allergens. That is why it is particularly good when you don't know what your allergies are. The test works well for insect bites, airborne allergens like pollen and food allergies as well.
Specific food allergies can be tested by using a different form of allergy testing that puts a patient on an elimination diet. For a period of several weeks the range of foods suspected of causing the allergy are eliminated from the patients diet. Then each food is then reintroduced individually to see whether the allergy symptoms come back. Of course, this method of allergy testing is better for mild food allergies. If you get severe allergic reactions bordering on anaphylactic shock then you should skip this test and the scratch tests and immediately go to your next option.
The last form of allergy testing on our list is a RAST(radioallergosorbent test) which most people just classify as a blood test. Blood is drawn from the patient and is then sent to a lab for testing. The blood is examined for the presence of immunoglobulin (IgE) antibodies. The presence of these antibodies indicates whether the body's immune system is causing the body to have an allergic reaction. Elevated levels of these IgE's can tell your doctor whether you are allergic to certain types of allergens. This type of allergy testing has been known to not be as precise or accurate as other methods.
The last type of test that is provocation or challenge tests. This is where a doctor exposes you directly to what you think you are allergic to so that your reaction can be monitored. This can be very dangerous so definitely don't try this at home. Your reaction may be more severe than you think. This type of allergy testing is of course not that common.
In conclusion you should be prepared when you go in for your testing. The doctor will ask you for a thorough medical history and depending on the testing involved may ask you to stop taking any sort of medicine you have been taking to treat the symptoms of your allergies. This will make the allergy testing more effective.
Allergies is the natural response of our immune system trying to defend our body when it feels it is in danger; usually allergies occur when the body does not recognize a substance that is induced in the form through air, orally or directly applied on the skin. Here are some common methods of allergy testing that are sued today in order to determine the allergy type as well as a treatment for it.
The Skin Prick Or Scratch Allergy Testing
This is one f the most common allergy testing applied and it conducted by inducing a small amount of the substance suspected to cause the allergy into the skin in order to make contact and provoke the allergy. This test usually takes about 30 minutes to maximum and hour as the body reacts almost instantly if there are any allergic reactions to the substance used.
This is a fast and sure way to find out if you are allergic to something that you suspect you are but not sure. You can conduct this test with several other suspected substances at the same time in order to find the right culprit and a possible treatment as well.
Intradermal Allergy Testing
This allergy testing is very similar to the skin prick o scratch testing with the only difference that the suspected allergens are injected into the skin in order to provoke the reaction desired. Several tests can be conducted at the same time as it takes approximately 30 minutes for any reactions to occur.
Blood Test
Blood tests or RAST (radioallergosorbent test) is yet another sure way to determine an allergic reaction; this test measures the level of antibodies in the body or more precisely of a specific type of antibodies, which are known as IgE that are only present when an allergic reaction occurs.
Helpful Tip
Allergy reactions can be very tricky at times and it can take several allergy testing procedures to determine the cause of your allergies because it can be anywhere from food to a new lotion you are applying. Also you need to remember that allergies can be formed even later in life for some food items that you were not allergic to before, or any other cause for that matter such as, flowers, perfume animal dander or dust. In fact as we grow older our immune system grows weaker and we are more prone to develop allergies to things that did not bother us before.