Allergies can cause life-threatening reactions, so it’s important to know just what is causing a potential allergic reaction, such as a rash, difficulty breathing, sneezing, a runny nose, or eyes that are itchy or watery. The two main options for determining what a person is allergic to are skin tests and blood tests. Skin tests are typically tried first unless something precludes this type of testing.
To Prevent a Future Severe Allergic Reaction
If someone is showing signs of an allergy, it’s essential to determine what’s responsible for this reaction. Then, the allergy can be properly treated. This treatment could mean avoiding certain food, taking seasonal allergy medications, or getting allergy shots.
To Insure the Proper Preparation
Home testing kits aren’t always accurate. A doctor will perform the test properly and ensure people avoid medications that could interfere with the results, such as certain heartburn medications, antihistamines, antidepressants, and asthma medications. Blood allergy tests are needed when people can’t stop their medications.
To Consider Related Medical History
A proper medical history, including information on any possible past reactions and lifestyle, will help the doctor determine which allergies to test for and whether to interpret the results with extra caution. Skin allergy testing alone may not be enough to determine what a person is allergic to, or even if they have an allergy.
To Be Prepared in Case of a Severe Reaction During the Test
While it isn’t common, on rare occasions people experience severe reactions during a skin allergy test. Being in the doctor’s office means that treatment is available right away should this situation occur. However, if there’s a suspected risk of a severe reaction, a doctor will normally recommend a blood test instead of a skin test for allergies.
To Perform the Test Properly
Doctors do scratch tests using histamine and saline as well as suspected allergens to verify you react typically to allergens and don’t have sensitive skin so they can interpret the results correctly. Home allergy skin testing kits usually only involve scratch tests with a small amount of concentrated allergen, so home kit results may not be as accurate.
To Explain the Results
A doctor can explain the results. When an allergy is present, people usually develop a bump that might be itchy, similar to a mosquito bite. The larger the reaction, the worse the allergy. However, sometimes people react differently to the test and to exposure to the allergen in real-life situations. The doctor can help determine if this is the case.
To Limit the Risk of Misinterpretation
While there are some tests that allow people to test themselves for allergies at home, these tests tend to be less reliable than one performed in a doctor’s office. Also, doctors are more familiar with the tests and can better interpret the results to limit the risk of false positives. Doctors sometimes repeat the test to verify the results.
To Help You Come Up with a Treatment Plan
Depending on the results of the allergy testing, you may need the doctor’s help to come up with a plan for dealing with your allergies. The doctor will be able to tell you about the best options for treatment, which will most likely include avoiding the suspected allergen as much as possible. You’ll also need information on what to do if you have a reaction.
The professionals at Advanced Dermatology & Skin Cancer Specialists can answer any questions you may have about allergy testing. We can also perform these tests should it be necessary and help you come up with a treatment plan if allergies are confirmed.
