Allergy Testing
What to Expect During Allergy Testing
Allergy Testing
The only way to treat your allergy symptoms is to determine exactly what is causing them. This is done through a series of allergy tests.
What Is a Skin Prick Test?
A skin prick test is the most common form of allergy testing. This test involves placing a small drop of allergen extracts on the individual prongs of a multi-pronged plastic device that is then pressed into the skin. After 20 minutes, any swelling or redness is measured and, depending on the size, is considered a positive reaction.
An intradermal skin test is completed next. An intradermal wheal, or bleb, is injected directly under the top layer of skin. After 10 minutes any reactions are measured and classified as either positive or negative.
How Does a Blood Test Work?
A blood test is used to measure how much of an allergen-specific antibody, called immunoglobulin E (IgE), is in your blood. The more allergen specific IgE in your blood, the more likely you are to be allergic. Blood tests are typically used to confirm the results of a skin test; they may also be used in lieu of skin tests if a serious allergy makes skin testing unsafe.