How Skin Allergy Testing Works
At least 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. While some people might have minor allergies and symptoms, others experience chronic allergy problems with major symptoms. If you suffer from major allergy symptoms, you might benefit from a skin allergy test. Before you get this done, you might wonder how it works. Keep reading this guide to learn more about skin allergy tests.
What it involves
The first thing to understand is what a skin allergy test involves. A skin allergy test involves pricks on your arm or back. The doctor will first apply small amounts of allergens to various areas of your skin, and they will note each one to track it. Next, they'll prick the areas to allow the allergens to seep into your bloodstream. Finally, they'll look at each one to see how your body reacts.
What it tells
When they examine your skin after making the pricks, they'll note what they see. A normal response is a negative one, which means they see no visible changes to your skin by the allergen pricks.
An abnormal result is a positive result, which means they can see a reaction. Generally, they'll see redness or swelling. If they see any of these signs, it typically means that you're allergic to that allergen.
Doctors can test you for dozens of different things. For example, they can test to see if you're allergic to mold, pet dander, and medications. They can also test for food and other things.
If you suspect that you have allergies to specific things, make sure you tell your doctor, as they can include those in the test. You can get tested annually, as allergies tend to change as you age.
Why it's beneficial
Finally, you might wonder about the benefits of skin allergy tests, and there are several benefits to understand. First, a skin allergy test isn't just a general allergy test. Instead, it's a specific test that tells you exactly what you're allergic to, which is helpful. Knowing what you're allergic to lets you know what to avoid. It also helps you determine the best way to treat your allergies. Secondly, it's more effective. By putting small amounts of allergens in your body, a doctor can tell you more about your allergy condition.
Visit a doctor
You can visit a doctor to get tested for allergies. If you're ready to begin, contact a local clinic like the Allergy and Asthma Clinic of Fort Worth to schedule an appointment for a skin allergy test.