Allergy Testing: What to Expect
An allergy test is often recommended if you have an unknown allergen causing an allergic reaction.1 A healthcare provider performs these tests to observe and identify what substances you’re reacting to.1
There is a wide range of allergens, from common food allergies like peanuts, shellfish and tree nuts, to airborne substances like mold, pollen and materials like latex and nickel. Allergic reactions to medications are also common, like penicillin.2,3
Signs You May Need an Allergy Test
An allergic reaction occurs when your body’s immune system—what defends against foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses—goes a little too hard on innocuous substances like pollen, mold and pet dander.4 As a result, unpleasant symptoms can occur like:
- Hay fever. Known as rhinitis, hay fever refers to allergic reactions that occur in the nasal cavity. Sneezing, an itchy mouth roof, nose and eyes are all symptoms associated with hay fever.4 Hay fever is most prominent in the spring, summer and fall when more pollen and outdoor molds are in the air.4
- Hives/rashes/contact dermatitis. These raised, itchy welts appear on the skin when it comes into contact with an allergen. Common causes of contact dermatitis include insect stings, medicines and animal dander.4
- Asthma. This condition is characterized by the restricted flow of air to the lungs. Common signs of asthma include chest discomfort, coughing fits, and wheezing. Asthma can cause mild discomfort, but life-threatening reactions can occur where breathing is stopped entirely. 4
- Anaphylaxis. The most severe allergic reaction, anaphylactic shock is critical and demands immediate medical attention.4 Signs of anaphylaxis include vomiting, diarrhea, labored breathing, redness of the skin, and a drop in blood pressure.4
For an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan, consider seeing an allergist. Though, some cases like mild seasonal hay fever symptoms can easily be treated at home with over-the-counter medicine.4 Try a nasal spray like FLONASE ALLERGY RELIEF MIST.
Common Types of Allergy Testing
Skin prick
The allergist will lightly prick your skin.3 They will then drop several solutions mixed with allergens on different areas of your skin. A reaction will occur if there is a raised bump on the pricked area(s), known as a wheal.3 The skin will turn red if you have light skin and, if you have dark skin, the pricked area will be a similar color to the surrounding skin and possibly lighter.3
External Application
This test involves applying the allergen directly on a small portion of the skin, usually on the forearm.3
Skin Scraping
The allergist will remove a small piece of the outermost layer of your skin and put the allergen on it.3
Patch
Some allergic reactions aren’t immediate and take hours to three days for symptoms to appear, and that’s what patch tests are for.3 A patch with the allergen is applied to the skin for this test. Common allergens that use patch testing include medications, nickel or cobalt (found in jewelry) and latex.3
Injection
Allergies can be test via injection into the skin if there is not a strong reaction from the skin test. 3
Blood
A blood test can be conducted if there isn’t a clear reaction to the skin prick test. You will have blood drawn by the doctor and the blood will be sent to a lab and analyzed.3 Results typically take a few days and the allergist will reach out with the results and next steps should you have a confirmed allergy. 3
Trigger
If an allergic reaction is inconclusive after doing a skin prick test and blood test, a trigger (also known as a provocation test) may be done.3 The allergen can be applied to your eyes, lining of your nose or inhaled through the lungs to trigger an allergic reaction.3 Provocation tests are usually done under medical supervision because they can cause severe allergic reactions.
How to Prepare for Your Allergy Test
Have an allergy test scheduled? Five days prior to the appointment, refrain from taking antihistamines, as they can interfere with the test results.1 Be sure to consult your provider about any medications you take that may affect your natural immune response.1
What to Do If You Have an Allergy
If your allergy test comes back positive, your provider will provide the next steps on how to navigate life safely with your new diagnosis.1 They will create a treatment plan that involves avoiding the allergen as much as possible, taking medications, carrying an epinephrine pen (EpiPen) and possibly undergoing immunotherapy.1
Sources:
- What to Expect During an Allergy Test. Northeast Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. https://neaai.com/what-to-expect-during-an-allergy-test/. Accessed 10/08/2024.
- Common Allergens - Peanut, Egg, and Sesame Allergies. FARE. https://www.foodallergy.org/living-food-allergies/food-allergy-essentials/common-allergens. Accessed 10/08/2024.
- In brief: What kinds of allergy tests are there? NCBI Bookshelf. (nih.gov) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK367583/. Accessed 10/08/2024.
- When To See An Allergist - Treat and Prevent Allergies. ACAAI. Patient https://acaai.org/do-you-need-an-allergist/when-to-see-an-allergist/. Accessed 10/08/2024
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