Should I Get A Skin Test
There are several reasons to consider a skin test for allergies. Knowing exactly what you are allergic to allows you to implement the most effective treatment plan possible. Effective treatments may include immunotherapy , allergen avoidance and medications. Skin tests are often used to diagnose certain allergic conditions, including:
- Allergic rhinitis
- Bee venom allergy
- Latex allergy
In almost all cases, skin tests can work for you. They are safe for children and adults of all ages, including infants. However, there are a few circumstances under which an allergy test may not work for you. These include having a history of severe allergic reactions, taking certain medications and having certain skin conditions.
Why Is Allergy Skin Testing Used
Your doctor may recommend allergy skin testing to diagnose the cause of allergy symptoms from the following types of allergens:
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Environmental allergens including mold, dust mites, pet dander, or tree pollen
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Food allergens including peanuts, milk, wheat and eggs
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Insect venom
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Latex
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Medications including penicillin
Ask your doctor about all of your testing options and consider getting a second opinion before deciding on allergy skin testing.
Az Allergy Associates Allergy Skin Tests
There are three main ways to get allergens to react with your skin but the steps vary depending on what type of test youre having.
- Skin Prick Test also called a puncture or scratch test. The providers draw marks on your skin after cleaning with alcohol. Then theyll apply a drop of a potential allergen on each of those spots and uses a lancet to prick the extracts into the skins surface.
- Intradermal Test this test injects a small amount of allergen just under your skin.
- Patch Test the test put an allergen on a patch and then stick that on your arm or back.
The pricking part of scratch and intradermal tests takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Then youll wait about 15 minutes to see how your skin reacts. Therefore plan for an hour-long appointment.
Patch tests take more time, youll have to wear a patch for about 48 hours in case you have a delayed reaction to the allergen.
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What To Expect During The Visit
- Expect to answer detailed questions about your childâs or your own health history
- Have a list and description of medical conditions, health problems, past reactions and symptoms ready
- You may be asked to allow a physical exam
- You may have skin prick testing offered
- You may be offered a requisition for food-specific IgE antibody blood tests
- A follow-up visit may be recommended
Allergy Skin Test Results
Both skin prick and intradermal test results are visible within just 15-20 minutes, while patch tests take longer. Even if you do have a reaction to an allergy skin test, its important to remember that this test on its own doesnt indicate that youre allergic to that substance. Positive tests also cannot predict how severe an allergic reaction may be.
Usually, negative tests indicate that you arent allergic to specific allergens. However, theyre not always accurate and your allergist may want to do additional tests if you have allergy symptoms.
No matter the test results, your physician will use those results along with your medical history to come to a diagnosis.
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How Can You Tell If A Child Is Outgrowing Their Food Allergy
Food-specific IgE antibody tests can be helpful for monitoring a child with food allergy. When a child is outgrowing their food allergy, the level of food-specific IgE antibody will be lower than what it was, but can still be positive.
For this reason, food allergy tests cannot confirm whether a child has outgrown their food allergy. The childâs doctor may suggest an oral food challenge to confirm that a food allergy has been out grown.
An oral food challenge involves eating the food allergen to see if an allergic reaction still happens. They are offered when there is a history of a severe reaction. Oral food challenges are only done in a medical clinic under the direct supervision of an allergist or pediatric allergist. If an allergic reaction happens, the allergist will be present to detect and treat it right away. Do not try oral food challenges at home.
Unreliable Test Results Can Lead To Unnecessary Changes In Your Lifestyle
If the test says you are allergic to some foods, such as wheat, soy, eggs, or milk, you may stop eating those foods. You may end up with a poor diet, unnecessary worries and frustration, or extra food costs. If the test says you are allergic to cats or dogs, you may give up a loved pet.
And tests for chronic hivesred, itchy, raised areas of the skin that last for more than six weekscan show something that may not look normal but is not a problem. However, this can lead to anxiety, more tests, and referrals to specialists.
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The Allergy Testing Procedure
Skin testing is a simple series of tiny scratches made on your back. Staff uses a small instrument similar to a plastic toothpick, which contains trace amounts of a single allergen, such as mold, pollen, dust mite, and pet dander to perform the allergy test. When the results are positive, a small reaction on the skin occurs, usually within 20 minutes. This reaction is generally a small bump, similar to a mosquito bite, and may cause some itchiness. A bump or reaction indicates that you are allergic to that specific trigger. Following the scratch test on the back, some patients may also receive intradermal testing, where a small amount of the allergen is injected under the skin of the arm to see if it causes a reaction.
Here is a video explaining the testing and immunotherapy process we show to patients after they are tested:
Why Allergy Testing Is Performed
Allergies affect more than 50 million people living in the USA, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Inhaled allergens are by far the most common type. Seasonal allergies and hay fever, which is an allergic response to pollen, affect more than 40 million Americans.
The World Allergy Organization estimates that asthma is responsible for 250,000 deaths annually. These deaths can be avoided with proper allergy care, as asthma is considered an allergic disease process.
Allergy testing can determine which particular pollens, molds, or other substances youre allergic to. You may need medication to treat your allergies. Alternatively, you can try to avoid your allergy triggers.
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What Is Allergy Skin Testing
Allergy skin testing helps diagnose . Allergy skin testing can identify 10 to 50 specific substances, called allergens, which cause allergy symptoms in children and adults. Common allergens include foods, latex, medications, insect stings, and environmental particles, such as dust, pollen and mold.
An allergist will interpret your allergy skin testing results in relation to your medical history, physical exam, and other tests. An allergist, also known as an , has the specialized skills and experience needed to read allergy skin testing results properly.
Allergy skin testing is only one method used to diagnose allergies. You may have less invasive testing options. Consider getting a second opinion about all of your testing choices before having allergy skin testing.
Types of allergy skin testing
The types of allergy skin testing include:
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Prick/puncture/scratch skin test involves applying a diluted allergen with a small prick, puncture, or scratch to the skins surface.
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Intradermal test involves injecting a diluted allergen below the skin surface using a tiny needle. Doctors sometimes use intradermal tests after a negative scratch skin test to collect more information about possible allergens.
Other procedures that may be performed
Your doctor may combine allergy skin testing with the following tests and procedures to diagnose allergies:
How Should I Prepare For An Allergy Skin Test
To determine if you need an allergy skin test, your allergy specialist will thoroughly review your medical history, signs and symptoms and how you currently treat your allergy attacks. This will help your doctor determine if you have a family history of allergies and if your symptoms are most likely caused by an allergic reaction. You may also need to receive a physical examination to diagnose allergies as the trigger for your signs and symptoms.
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How Does A Blood Test Work
An allergy blood test requires you to visit a lab where a medical professional will assist you in the process.
A blood sample is drawn and analyzed, which means you will get the results after several days, unlike with the skin test, where the results are generated right there and then.
Since the specimen is independently analyzed in the lab, you dont have to risk any severe allergic reactions to an allergen.
With the skin test, one downside in the process is the probability for the patient to develop anaphylaxis while the suspected allergen is placed on the pricked skin. You dont have to worry about this scenario with a blood test.
Also, there is no need for you to stop taking medications for days.
How Is Food Allergy Diagnosed
Allergists and pediatric allergists are medical doctors. They have training in immunology and the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the immune system. They have advanced training in diagnosing and recommending treatment and monitoring plans for patients with different types of food allergy, including IgE antibody triggered food allergy.
Family doctors and pediatricians can also diagnose food allergy. They will refer their patients to an allergist or pediatric allergist when a more detailed assessment would be helpful.
There are three main steps an allergist will use to diagnose food allergy:
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How Accurate Are Allergy Skin Tests
Skin tests are usually accurate but sometimes may indicate an allergy when there is not one. In other cases, a false-negative may occur. This is why your doctor will look at test results as well as your clinical history for a diagnosis. If your doctor is worried about a false negative or positive, additional testing may be done.
Allergy Skin Testing In Charlotte
Please note: Due to healthcare privacy laws, we cannot answer any questions pertaining to personal health information by e-mail.
An allergy skin test is used to help your physician at Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center determine whether you have allergies and what type of allergy you may have by looking for reactions to allergens that are placed on your skin. By determining whats triggering your allergy symptoms, the test makes it easier for you and your doctor to determine the right treatment.
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What Is A Positive Skin Test Result
A positive skin test involves the formation of a bump and redness . In addition to the allergens in question, skin testing is also performed with a positive control that should always cause a skin reaction, and a negative control, , that should not cause a reaction. A test is positive if the allergen causes a wheal 3 mm greater than the negative control, and if the skin has a response to the histamine, as well. It is important to know that individuals cannot undergo skin testing if they are using antihistamines, since this blocks the histamine-mediated reaction.
Are There Other Recommended Tests To Help Diagnose Food Allergy
Food elimination diets remove a group of foods from the diet on a trial basis to see if this stops the signs and symptoms of allergic reactions.
Food elimination diets can be tempting to try. They can be hard to follow and are rarely needed for a diagnosis. Elimination diets that restrict a lot of foods can also lead to malnutrition, especially in children. If a child with a higher risk of developing food allergy avoids a tolerated food for a long time, it may increase their risk of developing an allergy to that food.
An allergist can tell you whether an elimination diet would be helpful. They can provide a list of foods to stop eating for a specific trial period based on the personâs health history and test results. A registered dietitian can provide advice and guidance to help the person meet their nutrition needs and support meal planning for the trial. Whether and how each food should be added back to the diet should be discussed with the allergist. Some foods should only be reintroduced in a medical clinic during an oral food challenge.
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Why Is This Test Performed
Allergy skin tests are performed to identify what allergen is causing allergy symptoms so that people can avoid the trigger if necessary and plan appropriate treatment with their doctor.
There are many allergens, including foods, medications, environmental substances , as well as contact allergens that irritate the skin.
Allergy skin tests take place when allergy shots are being considered. Testing may also be necessary for people with potentially serious allergic reactions or asthma.
When To Get Tested For Allergies
You should secure an allergy test or at least a consultation with your doctor if you experience the following symptoms common to different types of allergies:
- Sneezing
- Skin itching with red rashes
- Watery eyes and redness
- Swelling in specific areas
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting or nausea
- Diarrhea
Dont forget to tell your doctor if you can observe these symptoms after eating a particular food or exposure to a specific substance. It will speed up the diagnosis as your doctor will narrow down the potential allergens.
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How Is An Allergy Skin Test Done
Allergy skin testing is noninvasive and generally very well tolerated, even by small children. A small amount of the suspected allergy-provoking substance is placed on the skin. The skin is then gently punctured through the small drop with a special sterile puncture device. An allergy skin test is also called a prick/puncture test. The older terminology was “scratch test.” With venoms, certain medications, such as penicillin, and in certain cases with aeroallergens, a second step of testing involves injecting a small amount of the allergen into the skin with a small needle. This is called an intradermal or an intracutaneous test. This type of testing should never be performed for foods.
So When Should You Have Allergy Tests
If you have allergy symptoms, you may get relief from self-help steps and over-the-counter drugs. If these steps do not help your symptoms, then it is time to see your doctor.
The doctor should ask you about your medical history and make sure you get the right tests. If your medical history suggests that you have an allergy, your doctor might refer you to an allergist or immunologist for testing.
- A skin test is the most common kind of allergy test. Your skin is pricked with a needle that has a tiny amount of something you might be allergic to.
- If you have a rash or take a medicine that could affect the results of a skin test, you may need a blood test.
- For chronic hives, you usually do not need an allergy test. However, your doctor might order tests to make sure that the hives are not caused by other conditions, such as a thyroid disorder.
This report is for you to use when talking with your healthcare provider. It is not a substitute for medical advice and treatment. Use of this report is at your own risk.
07/2012
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Benefits Of A Blood Test
The primary advantage of a blood test is that it can be performed at any time, irrespective of any pharmaceuticals you are taking. This type of test is the preferred method for testing infants and very young children. Unlike the skin prick test, only one needle stick is required for testing. If you or a loved one has an aversion to needles, a blood test may work better for you.
What Happens During An Allergy Skin Test
You will most likely get tested by an allergist or a dermatologist. You may get one or more of the following allergy skin tests:
An allergy scratch test, also known as a skin prick test. During the test:
- Your provider will place small drops of specific allergens at different spots on your skin.
- Your provider will then lightly scratch or prick your skin through each drop.
- If you are allergic to any allergens, you will develop a small red bump at the site or sites within about 15 to 20 minutes.
An intradermal test. During the test:
- Your provider will use a tiny, thin needle to inject a small amount of allergen just below the skin surface.
- Your provider will watch the site for a reaction.
This test is sometimes used if your allergy scratch test was negative, but your provider still thinks you have an allergy.
An allergy patch test. During the test:
- A provider will place small patches on your skin. The patches look like adhesive bandages. They contain small amounts of specific allergens.
- You’ll wear the patches for 48 to 96 hours and then return to your provider’s office.
- Your provider will remove the patches and check for rashes or other reactions.
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Is Food Allergy Different From Food Intolerance And Food Sensitivity
Food sensitivity is a general term. It can be used for many conditions that can cause symptoms after eating certain foods. Examples include food allergy, celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome , heartburn and food intolerance such as lactose intolerance. Food sensitivities should be diagnosed so that the best treatment options and a monitoring plan can be identified.
Unlike food allergy, food intolerance does not involve the immune system. The signs and symptoms of food intolerance typically happen when a person does not have enough of a specific enzyme to completely digest or metabolize part of a food. Lactose intolerance is an example of food intolerance caused by a lack of the lactase enzyme needed to digest lactose, the natural sugar in milk.
