When do I need allergy testing?
When you can’t get relief from your allergy symptoms, allergy testing helps to identify the exact substances. At Prime Physicians, the team recommends allergy testing for patients with severe allergies and those who aren’t responding to over-the-counter allergy medicines.
Allergy symptoms can include:
- Itchy nose, eyes, and throat
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Nasal congestion
- Sneezing
- Hives or rash
- Sinus pain
You need allergy testing before your provider can give you allergy shots. Allergy testing may also be recommended if you have food allergies or asthma that flares up from exposure to allergens.
What can I expect during allergy testing?
Often called a skin prick test or skin scratch test, this type of allergy testing involves placing a small amount of the suspected allergy causing substance on the skin and then pricking or scratching the skin, allowing the allergen to get under your skin’s surface. This test checks for immediate allergic reactions and takes about 15 minutes.
Your provider might perform an intradermal skin test to identify insect and medicine allergies. This type of allergy testing is similar to a skin prick test, the only difference being the allergen is injected under your skin. Sometimes this method is used if you don’t react to a skin prick test but your symptoms strongly suggest allergies.
A patch test is used to identify contact allergies. Contact allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a substance that comes into direct contact with your skin, such as poison ivy.
Blood tests measure the number of antibodies your body produces in response to a specific allergen. The team might order a blood test if:
- You have a skin condition that prevents skin testing
- Take medicine that affects skin test results
- Have asthma
- Could have a severe allergic reaction during the skin testing
Both skin and blood allergy testing can detect sensitivity to common inhalants like dust mites and pollen, certain foods, medicines, latex, or venom.
Is allergy testing accurate?
Allergy testing is usually pretty accurate. Sometimes what bothers you doesn’t show up on the test. If this is the case, the team may recommend another type of test. Don’t worry if it takes a while to identify the source of your allergy. The team will keep trying different methods until found.
If you need help with allergies, call Prime Physicians to speak with a friendly team member, or book your allergy testing appointment online today.
