ALLERGY TESTING

Allergy testing can tell us what it is that triggers allergies within our bodies. Knowing what triggers hay fever, asthma, skin rashes, hives, itching, and food allergies can help us to live symptom free.

People with seasonal allergies, year-round allergies, or living in an area where molds, dust mites, tree and plant pollen, as well as where animal dander is common, should consider allergy testing. Children with frequent upper respiratory or ear infections and adults with frequent cases of sinusitis or anyone suspected of having asthma should also consider getting tested.

Skin tests, a blood test, and food elimination diets can identify things that can trigger your response to these allergens. Skin testing is easy and is the most common type of testing used. For this test, many kinds of likely allergens are placed just under the skin. If the test is positive, a red swollen welt forms or allergy symptoms like wheezing, sleepiness, or sneezing will start within 20 minutes. A positive test indicates that this substance may be the cause of the allergic response. A nurse usually administers the skin tests and an allergist interprets the results and determines which allergy treatment to use.

Food allergy testing may include blood and skin tests. A blood test, called the RAST, measures the amount of allergy-type antibodies that are in the blood. The body makes antibodies when trying to fight off the allergy-causing substances known as allergens. The blood test is about as accurate as skin tests.

An elimination diet requires restriction of certain foods on the basis of a person's food intake history, foods known to be common causes of allergy, and foods which were positive on a skin test. This reduced diet is followed until all allergic symptoms resolve. Foods are then added back to the diet, one at a time, after the symptoms stop. During this time, symptoms may recur. The patient then knows which foods to avoid in the future and which foods are safe to eat.

Allergy testing is the best way to find what causes allergic symptoms. False positives may occur for a number of reasons. Talking with your allergist is the best way to narrow down the results and determine what the cause is.

For more information:

The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network provides information on food allergy and anaphylaxis and other issues of this disease. Call (800) 929-4040 or visit their website at www.foodallergy.org.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology offers a variety of services including patient and consumer education information, pollen count reports and maps, and a physician referral directory. Call (800) 822-2762 or visit their website at www.aaaai.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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