Allergy Testing

Methods of Allergy Testing your Doctor Might Recommend

Do you have an allergy, but are unsure of the specific allergen causing your allergic reaction? Your doctor may be able to recommend a variety of allergy testing to diagnose your condition.

A variety of allergens can be identified using these various tests. Since some tests will work better than others; it is a good idea to be familiar with the different methods of allergy testing available to you. Basically, the tests can fall into three categories: Scratch tests, elimination tests, and blood tests.

Scratch Tests

Scratch tests are the most common type of allergy test that are done. This test consists of placing a small amount of the suspected allergen onto the surface of the skin, then scratching or pricking the area to allow penetration of the substance.

Then, the site is observed to watch for an allergic reaction such as swelling, redness, or itching. A result is often seen in as little as twenty minutes with this particular method of allergy testing. The advantage to this is that many other types of allergens can be tested at the same time. Therefore, this makes this method most useful when the allergen is not known, is an airborne allergen, or an allergy from foods and insect bites.

Elimination Diets

The elimination diet is an allergy test done when the allergy suspected is a food allergy. In this testing, a variety of foods that are potential allergens are eliminated from the diet for a period of several weeks. Each food is then gradually added back to determine which selection will cause the allergic reactions.

This method of testing can be potentially dangerous for the patient who has severe allergies. If a severe allergy is suspected, a third method of allergy testing is preferred to ensure the safety of the patient.

Blood Tests

The third type of allergy testing is the blood test, commonly called the RAST test. This is done by using blood drawn from the patient in the laboratory. The blood is then examined to determine the presence of immunoglobulin antibodies, hence; these will indicate whether the immune system is producing an allergic reaction in the body. Levels of Ige’s that are elevated can tell your doctor what you are allergic to and make certain the types of allergens affecting your system. Should your doctor decide these tests will benefit you, he will check out your medical history and thus ensure the results are accurate.