Allergy test
Allergy testing can help confirm or rule
out allergies and consequently reduce
adverse reactions and limit unnecessary
avoidance and medications.[1][2]
Allergy test
Purpose Detect allergies
Correct allergy diagnosis, counseling and
avoidance advice based on valid allergy
test results is of utmost importance and
can help reduce the incidence of
symptoms, and the need for medications
and improve quality of life.[2] A healthcare
provider can use the test results to
identify the specific allergic triggers that
may be contributing to the symptoms.
Using this information, along with a
physical examination and case history,
the doctor can diagnose the cause of the
symptoms and tailor treatments that will
help the patient feel better. A negative
result can help the doctor rule out
allergies in order to consider other
possibilities. Ruling out allergies is as
important as confirming them to limit
unnecessary avoidance, worry and
negative social impact.[3]
Types of tests
NIH guidelines for the diagnosis and
management of food allergy and the
diagnosis and management of asthma
recommend either allergy blood testing
or skin prick testing to reliably determine
allergic sensitization.[1][4]
Blood test
For an allergy blood test, a sample of the
patient's blood is sent to a laboratory for
analysis. Allergy blood tests measure the
presence of IgE antibodies to specific
foods, pollens, mites, animals, insects
and other environmental factors. (IgE,
short for "immunoglobulin E", is the
antibody that triggers food allergy
symptoms.) The doctor looks at the test
results to help determine if the patient
has allergies. Allergy blood tests are not
affected by antihistamine use and can be
performed for people with extensive
rashes that prevent using skin prick tests.
For babies and young children, a single
needle stick for allergy blood testing is
often more gentle than several skin tests.
Skin allergy test
Skin allergy testing comprises a range of
methods for medical diagnosis of
allergies that attempts to provoke a
small, controlled, allergic response.
Skin prick test
For a skin prick test, a patient is pricked
with a series of needles that contain
extracts of allergic triggers. The doctor
looks for strong reactions like welts or
red bumps to determine if the patient has
allergies.[5] This method, although
unpleasant for young children and people
who dislike needle pricks, is beneficial
because the person may discover an
acute allergy with specially trained
healthcare staff available to stop life-
threatening allergic reactions such as an
unexpected anaphylactic reaction. It may
also allow the person to be prescribed
tools for intervention needed if
anaphylaxis ever occurs again, such as a
mobile epinephrine pen. Epinephrine acts
quickly to vasoconstrict, increasing blood
flow to vital organs, and relaxing the
smooth muscles in the airway, allowing
the patient to breathe until emergency
services arrive.
Patch test
Patch testing helps identify which
substances may be causing a delayed-
type allergic reaction in a patient and
may identify allergens not identified by
blood testing or skin prick testing. It is
intended to produce a local allergic
reaction on a small area of the patient's
back, where the diluted chemicals were
planted. The chemicals included in the
patch test kit are the offenders in
approximately 85–90 percent of contact
allergic eczema and include chemicals
present in metals (e.g., nickel), rubber,
leather, formaldehyde, lanolin, fragrance,
toiletries, hair dyes, medicine,
pharmaceutical items, food, drink,
preservative, and other additives.
References
1. Boyce, J et al., "Guidelines for the
Diagnosis and Management of Food
Allergy in the United States: Report of
NIAID-Sponsored Expert Panel", J Allergy
Clin Immunol 2010; 126: S1–S58.
2. National Institute for Health and Care
Excellence, "Diagnosis and assessment of
food allergy in children and young people
in primary care and community settings"
([Link]
nce) , 2011. Retrieved 26 December
2019.
3. Sampson, H et al., "Utility of food-specific
IgE concentrations in predicting
symptomatic food allergy", J Allergy Clin
Immunol 2001; 107: 891–6.
4. "NIH Guidelines for the Diagnosis and
Management of Food Allergy in the United
States. Report of the NIAID-Sponsored
Expert Panel", 2010, NIH Publication no.
11-7700.
5. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of
America, "Skin Testing for Allergies" (htt
p://[Link]/) , 25 June 2012.
Retrieved January 2013.
External links
Allergy blood testing information (htt
p://[Link]/understanding/a
nalytes/allergy/tab/test/) from the
AACC
Medical
portal
Retrieved from
"[Link]
title=Allergy_test&oldid=1156729630"
This page was last edited on 24 May 2023, at
09:25 (UTC). •
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