Most people have specific materials, conditions, or substances that may cause adverse effects on your body once you come into contact with them. Some of the causes of these conditions are unknown; thus dealing with them may be tricky. These problems may be dealt with through allergy testing Fort Worth. More about allergy testing and all it is about is discussed below in detail.
What is Allergy Testing?
An allergy test is a procedure done by a qualified specialist to identify whether your body has adverse reactions to certain substances. This can be done via a skin or blood test.
Since your immune system is the body’s standard defense system, thus allergies occur when your body overreacts to things in your environment. An example of an allergen is pollen; when in contact with the body may cause overreaction through:
- Sneezing
- A runny nose
- Watery, itchy eyes
- Blocked sinuses
- Wheezing or coughing
Types of Allergens
Allergens cause an adverse reaction as there are three types:
- Ingested allergens are found in some foods like soy, peanuts, and seafood
- Inhaled allergens affect your body when they are around the throat, nostrils, or lungs. The most typical is pollen
- Contact allergens cause a reaction when they touch your skin. Poison ivy is a typical example as its contact may cause reactions such as itching and rash
Allergy testing generally involves exposing your body to a tiny amount of allergen and putting down the reaction.
Why perform Allergy Testing?
Allergies are common among most people, with inhaled ones being the most prevalent. Asthma, which arises from inhaled allergens, is responsible for significant deaths while avoiding proper allergy management.
Allergy testing is also important because it identifies what specific molds, pollen, or other substances cause an allergic reaction. Avoiding allergy triggers and certain medications are possible allergy treatment plans.
Before going through an allergy test, your physician may need to know your family history, lifestyle, and more. The following medications may be required not to be taken so as not to affect the test:
- Heartburn medications like famotidine
- Over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines
- Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline
- Systemic corticosteroids, if patch testing is being done
An allergy test may consist of either a blood or skin test.
Blood Test
This is typically necessary if the test may cause a severe reaction on your skin. The blood sample undergoes tests in the lab for antibodies known to fight specific allergens. A standard test is the ImmunoCAP, which identifies IgE antibodies for common allergens.
Skin Test
Skin tests effectively identify potential allergens, including food-related, airborne, and contact allergens. These tests are of three types: intradermal, scratch, and patch tests.
A scratch test is commonly done first by placing the allergen in a liquid introduced to your skin. If no reactions are observed, your doctor may order the intradermal or patch test.
Allergy testing is crucial, especially for people planning on visiting new places where they can be exposed to substances they are not used to. For any allergy testing inquiries, visit us online, or call our offices in Fort Worth, TX.
