Allergy testing is an important tool that can help diagnose allergies and identify the substances, or allergens, that trigger allergic reactions. Allergies are one of the most common chronic diseases, affecting over 50 million Americans. Knowing what substances you are allergic to can help you avoid them and reduce the severity of your symptoms.
Types of Allergy Testing
There are two main types of allergy tests: skin tests and blood tests. Skin tests involve exposing the skin to small doses of allergens and observing the reactions. Common skin tests include the scratch test, the intradermal test, and the patch test.
Blood tests measure the amount of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in the blood. IgE antibodies are produced by the body when it is exposed to an allergen. The higher the level of IgE antibodies in the blood, the more likely it is that the person has an allergy. If you want to know more about allergy testing for blood tests you may consider Marlborough House Therapy Centre.
What to Expect During Allergy Testing
A skin test will usually take about 15-20 minutes. The doctor will apply a small drop of an allergen to the skin and observe the reaction. If the skin has a reaction, the doctor will measure the size of the reaction and record the results.
A blood test will take longer, usually between 30-60 minutes. The doctor will draw a sample of blood and send it to a laboratory for testing. The doctor will then review the results and provide a diagnosis.
What Are the Benefits of Allergy Testing?
Allergy testing can be an invaluable tool in identifying allergies and determining what triggers them. Knowing what substances you are allergic to can help you avoid them and reduce the severity of your symptoms. Allergy testing can also be used to help diagnose asthma, eczema, and other allergic conditions.
Conclusion
Allergy testing is an important tool that can help diagnose allergies and identify the allergens that trigger allergic reactions. There are two main types of allergy tests: skin tests and blood tests. Skin tests involve exposing the skin to small doses of allergens and observing the reactions, while blood tests measure the amount of IgE antibodies in the blood.
Allergy testing can be an invaluable tool in identifying allergies and determining what triggers them. Knowing what substances you are allergic to can help you avoid them and reduce the severity of your symptoms.