You need to perform allergy testing in order to prevent allergy reactions.
Allergy testing confirms which specific substance is causing allergy reactions.
Allergy symptoms can affect most of the people.
Allergy symptoms can cause watery eyes, itchy nose, stuffy nose, itchy skin or hives, skin swelling, and so on.
Most of the time angioedema causes swelling in the larger areas of the skin. To treat these allergy reactions, allergy testing is essential.
Effects of allergy reactions:
Skin swelling occurs when the blood vessels start leaking fluids. Angioedema is a type of disease and it causes skin to swell. Along with angioedema, if asthma attacks you, then the condition will become very serious.
Allergy symptoms can start if you are suffering with “anaphylactic reactionâ€. When airways are contracted wheezing develops. It is a life threatening reaction.
When the blood vessels start to open and expand, the blood pressure can lower.
Allergy testing for allergy reactions:
- For skin allergy testing, first the doctors will consider the symptoms.
- They also consider some hereditary factors before testing this type of allergies.
- The main triggers of allergic reactions are allergens. The doctors will consider which type of allergens are affecting you like dust mites, pollen, dust, mold, and pet dander.
- Some types of hereditary allergens are also examined to perform allergy testing.
- If you are suffering with potential allergic reactions then the doctors will use injections through which they inject some type of solution into the flesh.
Types of allergy testing:
Allergy tests are of several types and are used to determine the substances to which you are allergic. There are many methods of allergy testing. The most common allergy testing methods are skin test, blood test, and elimination-type tests.
Skin tests:
Skin tests are the most common tests. In this type of allergy testing a small needle is used to gently prick the skin through a drop of fluid containing a known allergen. It is also called as skin-prick test. For adults it is usually done on the forearm and for children it may be done on the back. The test is not painful and also it gives immediate results.
If this test gives positive result then the skin around the needle prick becomes itchy and red with the development of a white swelling called a weal. In 15-20 minutes the weal reaches to its maximum size. There is another type of test such as intradermal test is used, if skin-prick test do not give positive results. It is more sensitive than skin-prick test.
Blood test:
Blood tests are not as sensitive as skin tests. The most common type of blood test is called radioallergosorbent testing (RAST). In blood test a sample of blood is taken to measure the amount of immunoglobulin E antibodies in your blood.
This is tested to various environmental and food allergens. When skin swelling occurs, most of the time doctors conduct blood test. It tests the count of white blood cells in your blood. If large counts of white blood cells are identified then it is a sign that you are allergic to this type of allergy symptoms. RAST is used for those people who can not have skin tests.
Use of allergy testing:
If you or your children are suffering with allergic symptoms then it is very important to take allergy testing. Allergy testing is used to determine following symptoms.
Respiratory symptoms: These are itchy eyes, nose or throat, runny nose, watery eyes, and wheezing.
Skin symptoms: hives and skin itchiness.
Other symptoms: anaphylaxis, angioedema, and abdominal symptoms like diarrhea.
