Allergy testing reveals allergens that might cause allergies, like pet dander, mold, bee stings, and peanuts. There are several methods for allergy testing Fort Worth. Your healthcare practitioner will choose the appropriate technique based on your symptoms and possible allergies. Among these tests are:
- Blood (IgE) test: A sample of your blood is sent to a lab by your physician. The allergens are added to the blood sample, and the levels of IgE antibodies are measured. However, blood testing might provide more false-positive findings.
- Skin prick (scratch) test: Your physician uses a small needle to prick the skin on your forearm or back with 10 to 50 different probable allergies. Alternatively, your provider may apply droplets of possible allergens to your skin and use a device to scrape and softly pierce the region, allowing the liquid to penetrate your skin. Redness often occurs within 15 minutes after exposure. Your reaction might be a rash or the elevated, circular area known as wheals. Also, this test looks for airborne allergens, food allergies, and penicillin allergies.
- Patch examination: This test aims to determine the cause of contact dermatitis. Your physician applies allergen drops to the skin on your arm and wraps it in a bandage. Also, your physician may apply an allergen-containing patch (bandage). You wear the application for 48 to 96 hours before returning to the provider’s office. Your physician then removes the bandage to inspect your skin for a rash or other response.
- Challenge tests: This test is only performed under a clinician’s direct, in-person supervision. People suspected of having food or medication allergies consume (swallow) a small quantity of an allergen. This test is often performed by an allergist. Medical monitoring is required. If you develop anaphylaxis, the clinician will administer an epinephrine injection as soon as possible to halt the response.
- Intradermal skin test: If the findings of the skin prick test are negative or inconclusive, you may be given an intradermal skin test. Small doses of the allergen are injected into the outer layer of your skin (epidermis) by your physician. This test looks for sensitivities to irritants in the air, medicines, and insect bites.
The risks of allergy testing
Allergy tests may cause moderate skin irritation, redness, and edema. Wheals are tiny pimples that occur on the skin from time to time. These indicators often go away within a few hours, although they might continue for a few days. These symptoms can be relieved with mild topical steroid creams. Rarely allergy tests cause an instant, serious allergic reaction that necessitates medical treatment. Thus, allergy testing should be performed in a doctor’s office with proper drugs and equipment, including epinephrine, to treat anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal acute allergic reaction. You are recommended to call your specialist immediately if you have a severe response after leaving their office.
Once your physician has discovered which allergens are causing your symptoms, you and your doctor can collaborate to develop a strategy for avoiding and managing them. Also, your clinician may recommend drugs to alleviate your indicators. Call Clover Internal Medicine to schedule your appointment today to determine which allergy testing procedure works best for you.
