What is allergy testing?
For some who suffer from allergies, the exact cause may be more obvious, such as with a food allergy or a bee sting. However, for others, it can be a bit difficult to pinpoint the specific offender. Antihistamine medication and other allergy treatments target the overall allergic reaction process and can help to alleviate symptoms regardless of the trigger.
However, for more targeted treatment approaches, it is helpful to know what your trigger is more specifically. Allergy testing uses special techniques to determine what substance exactly is causing your allergic reaction, helping you and the team at Allergy and Asthma Consultants proactively manage your condition.
What kinds of allergy testing are available?
Several kinds of allergy testing are available, depending on what may be triggering your symptoms.
Allergy Skin Tests
During a skin test, the team at Allergy and Asthma Consultants will place a very small amount of potential allergens on your skin and observe any reaction that may take place. If your skin develops a rash, it is a good indication that you have an allergy to one or more of the allergens. Skin tests include the scratch test, the intradermal test, and the patch test.
Blood Test
In addition to skin testing, it is possible to test your blood to see if it contains any signs of allergies. This is done by measuring any allergen-specific antibodies in your blood. Allergy blood tests can help diagnose at least 10 common allergies, including:
- Trees
- Grasses
- Pet dander
- Mold
- Dust
- Food allergies
Though allergy skin tests are the most commonly used, the blood test plays an important role in the diagnosis of many allergies.
Elimination Testing
At times it can be difficult to detect what exactly is causing irritation out of many different possible offenders. Another method to determine the cause of your allergies is to eliminate potential allergens from your diet or your environment and then reintroducing them one by one to see what causes a reaction. By doing so, you can pinpoint exactly what causes you trouble. When doing this, it can be helpful to keep track of the results by using a diary to track what exactly you are eating or are exposed to in your environment.
To learn more about allergy testing and whether it may be helpful to you, call the location nearest to you or go online today to schedule your first appointment with the team at Allergy and Asthma Consultants.
