Different Types of Allergy Tests and How They Work

Introduction

A qualified allergy physician will do an allergy test, to find out if your body has an allergic response to a recognized substance. It can either be a skin allergy test or a blood allergy test. The immune system acts as a defense mechanism for the human body. When your immune system overreacts to a specific element in your environment, it might result in allergies. For instance, the immune system may overreact to pollen, which is often harmless. This article will discuss about types of allergy tests that are conducted worldwide.

Types of allergens

Allergic reactions are induced by substances known as allergens. The main divisions of allergens are:

●  Food allergens: Some foods, such as meat, nuts, and seafood, include food allergens.

●  Contact allergens: For contact allergens to cause a reaction, they must come into touch with the skin. Skin rashes and the itching sensation induced by certain flowers or insects are classic examples of a response from a contact allergy.

●  Inhaled allergens: When inhaled allergens come into contact with the lungs or the membranes of the throat or nose, they impact the body. Pollen is the most frequent allergen breathed in.

In an allergy test, a small quantity of a specific allergen will be given to you, and the reaction is noted.

Types of allergy tests

Allergy tests are generally divided into skin tests and blood tests.

Skin tests

Skin tests are commonly used as the first option as they are swift and simple. These tests are used to check for possible allergens by administering them to the skin and watching to see if they cause a reaction.

1. Skin prick test: A skin prick test is performed to identify allergies like hay fever or food allergies that result in an acute reaction when the skin comes into touch with them. Different areas of the skin are treated with drops of a solution carrying an allergen, such as pollen or animal hair.

The allergen is then allowed to enter the skin by puncturing it at each location. To treat food allergies, the needle’s tip is dipped in the allergic food substance and then poked into the skin.

2. Intradermal test: Except for injecting the allergen solution straight into the skin, an intradermal test is not different from a skin prick test. An intradermal injection’s main benefit is its ability to identify mild allergic reactions. However, the injection’s discomfort and the potential for more severe allergic reactions are its disadvantages. As a result, intradermal testing is chosen for situations in which a skin prick test offers a poor reaction.

3. Scratch and scrape tests: If the findings of the skin prick testing are incorrect, a skin scratch test is performed. A small piece of the skin is scraped, to rub the allergen substance over the open area. In comparison with the skin prick test, this technique allows drugs to enter deeper into the tissue layers, resulting in a larger reaction.

As they are more likely to cause non-allergic skin reactions and are unable to regulate the quantity of allergen administered to the skin, the skin scratch and scrape tests are thought to be less accurate than the skin prick test.

 4. Patch test: If allergic symptoms are expected to develop within a few days following contact with the allergen, the patch test is performed to screen compounds. A person’s back is covered with patches that contain various allergens, which are then left there for 48 hours. After removing the patches, the skin is checked for indications of a severe reaction.

Blood tests

Blood testing can be performed instead of, or along with skin tests. If the results obtained from the skin test seem to be inaccurate, a blood test might be suggested to make sure that the results don’t vary. A range of Blood allergy test are offered. Extracting a sample of blood from the patient’s arm is the first step taken during a blood test. The quantity of immunoglobulin antibodies generated in reaction to the allergen is counted. Allergies are likely to raise the quantity of antibodies in circulation. Establishing conclusions only from blood testing is challenging.

Conclusion

As it is important to be aware of what you eat, breathe, and come in contact with, being aware of your allergy triggers is necessary. Each individual might be allergic to a substance. If they find themselves suffering from an allergic reaction, they must immediately be administered first aid or must be taken to the nearest clinic or hospital. Texan Primary Care offers several skin tests, blood tests, and remedies for different allergic reactions, which help people to get cured of their allergic reactions.

Frequently Asked Questions