Allergy Testing - A Look at the Skin Test

Allergy Testing - A Look at the Skin Test

Studies estimate that more than 50 million people in America alone deal with some degree of allergy reaction at some point during the year. Some are unfortunate enough to be saddled with the reactions all year long. These allergens can be due to something outside, something in their home, or even something they have eaten. To treat these reactions, the first step is to find out what exactly is causing them.

Doctors can perform allergy testing, which can determine the culprit, thus opening up a path for avoidance and proper treatment. Today's skin tests are very accurate and the results come back quickly. Here's a look at the screenings themselves.

Two Types When you talk about the skin and allergy testing, you're usually talking about one of two different kinds of tests. The first is percutaneous, sometimes known as the "scratch" test. With this screening, the doctor will put a drop of solution mixed with a suspected allergen on the patient's skin. So this screening doesn't drag out over a period of months, the physician will usually test several allergens at the same time. If the patient is allergic, the reaction will show on the skin. The other type of test is intradermal. Here, the doctor will actually inject the solution below the skin's surface, allowing for greater sensitivity if the scratch test proved inconclusive.

Results There are several advantages to using these skin tests for allergy testing. One of the main advantages is that the results usually show up almost instantly. Few people have to wait more than a half hour to know whether they had a reaction. When it comes to intradermal tests, however, there may be a delayed reaction, which can take several hours to show up. Either way, it won't be long before the doctor knows what he is dealing with and whether or not you were allergic to the suspects you were exposed to.

Discomfort Some doctor-phobic patients avoid getting allergy testing done because they are afraid that it will hurt. Rest assured that children undergo these tests all the time, testifying to the fact that they are relatively painless in nature. Does that mean you won't experience any discomfort? Perhaps not; those with more sensitive dispositions may not care for the sensations. But very few would describe the procedure with the word "painful." The discomfort will be over almost immediately, and certainly, the results are more than worth it.

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