What is Allergy Skin Testing?
By: Paul FryattTotal Views: 321, Word Count: 643,
An allergy is defined as a malfunction in the immune system. The body during an allergy reacts adversely to a particular substance. An individual can be allergic to various substances, which could also be common in nature. Some of the common allergens are pollen, dust, insects, and food substances. Along with different allergens there are different allergies such as food allergy, asthma allergy, nasal allergy, insect allergy and skin allergy. Allergy skin testing, aids in determining the main substance which causes an allergy.
Allergy test -
Allergy tests help in verifying as to which particular substance is causing an adverse reaction in the body. For example, an allergy food test would determine which particular food element present in the food item is causing a reaction.
Some methods which are used for allergy testing are:
- Allergy skin testing
- Elimination tests
- Radioallergosorbent test or RAST
Allergy skin testing -
- Allergy skin testing is one of the most popular methods utilised for testing allergies. During allergy skin testing a small amount of the alleged allergen is placed on the upper arm or the forearm and after sometime it is introduced under the skin surface by scratching or pricking the skin surface.
- After the introduction of the allergen into the skin surface, it is observed for any sort of swelling, inflammation or redness. Allergy skin testing is extremely helpful in the detection of insect allergies, food allergies, respiratory allergies and penicillin allergy.
- With the help of skin testing the allergy is provoked. Allergy skin testing is known to be fast acting, if there are to be allergic reactions to a particular allergen. Allergy skin testing takes around 30 minutes to an hour. With the help of allergy skin testing several substances can be tested at the same time to determine the main allergen. Allergy skin testing is also called skin prick or scratch allergy testing.
Elimination tests -
Food allergies are mainly tested via elimination tests. Food substances which are suspected to be allergens are removed from the individual’s diet for a stipulated time period and later re-introduced along with monitoring the reactions.
Radioallergosorbent test or RAST -
Radioallergosorbent test is a blood test. Allergic reactions are taken note of with the help of Radioallergosorbent tests. With the help of this test the level of antibodies in the body are measured. Antibodies like the IgE occur during an allergic reaction.
One can relieve oneself instantaneously from allergies, with allergy relief products. As one notices any sort of allergic reaction one can take the help of the allergy relief products.
You can prevent the onset of allergies with some allergy relief products such as:
Nasal sprays - Clears the nasal passage and soothes out dry nasal passages. Nasal sprays are usually used to beat allergy, cold and sinusitis.
Nasal strips - Relieve nasal congestion which is the result of colds and allergies.
Vacuum cleaners - Remove and capture dust mites and allergy causing particles. Vacuum cleaners clear dust from walls, furniture and room floors.
Allergic reactions can occur from substances in food and even body lotions. With the help allergy testing one can be sure of treating allergies and detecting allergens.
About the Author
Allergist Paul Fryatt, M.D. has been in this profession from last 24 years. He made great achievements in his profession. He made an initiative to open a Family Allergy Clinic in 1985 to help his patients who were not reacting to traditional allergy treatment programs. Moreover he has explored the treatment to overcome allergy symptoms to reclaim quality of life through his convenient, no-shots therapy.
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