Have you been suffering from sneezing and a runny, itchy nose? Are your eyes watery and red?
You may have tried different over-the-counter allergy medicines, and you’re still tormented with allergy symptoms. But do you know for sure what your allergies are? Maybe you’ve thought about finding out to get more relief, but you’ve heard horror stories about allergy tests. Let me reassure you that testing is nothing to fear.
Allergy tests are used to determine exactly what’s causing your symptoms. Each test is specific for a particular allergen. Typically, allergy tests evaluate you for sensitivity to pets, such as cats and dogs; dust mites; grasses; trees; weeds; and molds. Where you live may determine which pollens are included in your test. For example, there is no reason to be tested for olive tree pollen if you live in the Northeast U.S., as there are no olive trees in that area. Allergy tests can also be done for foods, penicillin, eczema, asthma and insects, depending upon your history.
[See: 8 Surprising Facts About Asthma and Seasonal Allergies.]
When you see a board-certified allergist, he or she will obtain a history from you related to your allergy symptoms, plus perform a physical exam. Only then can it be determined if allergy testing is appropriate and, if so, for which allergens.
The next step is deciding what type of allergy testing should be performed. The gold standard for most patients is an allergy skin prick test. It’s the most cost-effective and usually takes about 30 minutes to complete. Normally, there’s no pain or bleeding associated with the test. First, the skin is cleaned with an alcohol pad. Marks are made on the skin with a small pen where allergen drops for each substance will be placed. The arms are used for most adults. In children, testing is commonly done on the back. Up to 40 different allergens may be tested at one time.
After a drop of the allergen is placed on the skin, a small needle pricks through the drop to place it on the skin surface. Some allergists use different devices to prick the skin, but the results are the same. Along with the allergens that are being tested, a histamine and a saline control are also placed and pricked. The reason for the histamine test is to make sure your skin reacts with a wheal — a red raised itchy bump. The wheal confirms there is no medicine, such as an antihistamine, in your blood. An antihistamine would block the allergy tests. The saline negative control is used to make sure you don’t have a skin condition for which merely touching the skin causes a wheal.
[See: Is it Healthy to Sleep With Your Pets?]
After 15 minutes, the allergy tests are read by your allergist. The appearance of a wheal is considered a positive test to the allergen and is usually measured and placed in your medical record. Some people may need to have further testing by injecting a small amount of the allergen just under the skin. This type of test is commonly used for insect and penicillin allergy testing and is read just like the allergy skin prick test.
There are also allergy blood tests — sometimes called RAST, or radioallergosorbent tests. These tests detect specific IgE levels to allergens in the blood. IgE is the major antibody in the blood that shows sensitivity to a substance. In general, the higher the IgE to an allergen, the more likely you are allergic to it. Unlike allergy skin tests, which give you immediate results, it may take several days before your allergist gets the results back from the lab on your blood tests. RAST are not affected by medications such as antihistamines and can be done for people with large rashes that won’t allow for skin testing. RAST tests are most commonly used for foods, but are also available for environmental allergies like pollen and mold.
Your allergist will review the results of the allergy tests with you. Know that a positive test doesn’t always mean it’s the cause of your allergy symptoms. Depending on your test results, you and your allergist will discuss the next steps to help you find relief.
[See: 7 Lifestyle Tips to Manage Your Asthma.]
If you’re suffering with allergy symptoms, what are you waiting for? Make an appointment with your allergist and find out what’s making you miserable. If you don’t have an allergist, go to AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org to find a board-certified allergist near you.
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Allergy Testing: What You Need to Know originally appeared on usnews.com
