What to Expect During an Allergy Testing Procedure

Did you know that allergic reactions are caused by the response of your immune system to external stimuli? Allergies occur due to triggers and responses, and your specialist can use various tests to determine the cause of your allergic reaction. You are likely to experience sneezing, and your symptoms may worsen based on the severity of your allergic reaction. Some allergies are harmless and vary based on the potential causes and implications on your body.

Allergy testing near you may involve several techniques to identify and treat allergies. It’s essential to undergo a diagnosis and find a suitable treatment based on your tests’ outcomes. Your skin may be exposed to allergens and observed for any signs of allergic reactions. Your specialist can identify the cause of your allergy by checking on your medical history and performing several tests.

What Allergy Testing Entails

Allergies occur once your immune system overreacts to harmless stimuli in your environment. An allergy testing procedure is performed to determine whether your body reacts to a specific substance. The exam is done through a skin test, blood test, or elimination diet. It’s vital in determining particular molds, pollen, or other allergens. At Crosspointe Medical Clinic, we may recommend you avoid allergy triggers and prescribe medication to treat your allergies. Some of the allergic reaction symptoms include:

• Sneezing and hives
• Watery eyes
• Itching and rashes
• Nasal congestion
• Difficulty in breathing
• Runny nose

Allergen Types

Allergens refer to causes of allergic body reactions, and they are classified into:

• Contact allergens that get into contact with your skin to cause a reaction. You will likely experience rash or itching.
• Inhaled allergens affect your lungs, throat, and other respiratory airways once you inhale pollen or other substances.
• Ingested allergens are found in certain foods, like soy, seafood, and peanuts.

During the allergy testing near you, your specialist exposes a minimal amount of allergen and observes how your body reacts to it. Upon determining the cause of your allergic reaction, suitable treatment is used.

Why Allergy Testing is done

Armita Edalat, our nurse practitioner, recommends you undergo allergy tests to enable your specialist to find an ideal treatment plan. Treatment for your allergies may include the use of medication, immunotherapy, and allergen avoidance. There are certain limitations to skin tests, including:

• Having severe skin conditions, including psoriasis that affect large portions of your skin and the skin portion left, may not be effective in providing reliable outcomes.
• You have a severe allergic reaction or are sensitive to certain substances, leading to life-threatening reactions.
• The current prescription may interfere with your test outcomes, including antihistamines.

Various Allergy Testing Procedures

Test for allergies may vary based on your associated symptoms, and below are some of the commonly used tests:

Elimination diet

The approach is used to determine the food that’s causing you to have an allergic reaction. It involves removing particular foods from your diet for some time and later they are included back. The response of your body to the diet types will determine the cause of your allergy.

Skin tests

The tests are done to determine various potential allergens, including food-related, contact, or airborne allergens. Skin tests may involve intradermal, patch, or scratch tests. The initial test consists of a scratch test, where a liquid is placed on a specific section of your skin. The outcome is closely monitored to check on how your skin reacts to a foreign substance. Itching, swelling, redness, or elevation on your skin may indicate that you are allergic to a particular allergen.

If the scratch test fails to render conclusive outcomes, your specialist uses an intradermal skin test. It involves injecting allergen into your skin dermal layer, and an observation is made to check how your skin reacts. The patch test uses an adhesive patch filled with suspected allergens and placed on your skin patches. The test is reviewed after two or more days after application.

Blood tests

The test is done in a lab to check for antibodies that fight against particular allergens. The procedure successfully identifies the allergens present in your body.

At Family Health Clinic Houston, TX, 77031, we use exceptional strategies to ensure you find reliable allergy test outcomes. Please make an appointment with our specialists and find closure for your allergic reactions today!