Identifying Your Allergies

Filed in archive Allergy Basics , Allergy: Diagnostics and Treatment on April 27, 2007

Are you sure you have allergies? If yes, to what? Do you know the whole range of substances to which you are allergic? If certain individuals who are highly sensitive to these substances, knowing them and thus being able to avoid them, may spell the difference between life and death. Here are some of main types of tests available to test for allergies:

Skin-prick test: This technique involves introducing a small amount of allergen extract into the skin by making a small puncture. If a patient is allergic, the specific allergens that they are allergic to will cause a local reaction at the site of the test.

Patch Test: Dermatologists apply patch tests in patients with dermatitis, to find out whether their skin condition may be caused or aggravated by a contact allergy.

Blood (RAST) test (short for radioallergosorbent test): This laboratory blood test can detect IgE antibodies to specific allergens. This test involves drawing blood, it generally costs more than skin tests, and the results are not available for days.

To find out which test(s) are appropriate for you, discuss your options with your allergist.