When dealing with an allergy, trying to pinpoint the cause of recurring sneezing, rashes, or itchiness can be overwhelming.
Is it the pollen in the air, the dust in your home, or something you ate for lunch? Without identifying the specific culprit, you are left treating symptoms instead of the source and finding actual relief becomes a challenge.
Allergy testing can help identify likely triggers when selected for your symptoms and interpreted with your medical history. A positive test alone does not prove that an allergen causes your symptoms.
Overview of the Allergy Testing Process
The thought of being tested for allergies can cause anxiety for some, but the process is safe, straightforward, and performed under professional supervision. The two most common methods are skin tests and blood tests.
- Skin Prick Test (SPT)
During a skin prick test, a provider places a tiny drop of a suspected liquid allergen onto your skin (usually on the forearm or back). The provider then lightly pricks or scratches the skin through the drop.
- What It Feels Like: The pricks are very superficial and feel like a light scratch and not as painful as a shot.
- How Long It Takes: The test itself takes about 10-15 minutes, and results appear within another 15-20 minutes.
- What Results Look Like: A raised bump (wheal) may show sensitivity to that allergen. Your provider compares it with control spots and your symptoms to decide whether it represents an allergy.
Before undergoing a skin test, your provider will likely ask you to stop taking antihistamines for several days to ensure accurate results. Always follow your provider’s specific instructions.
- Blood Test (IgE Test)
A blood test may be used if a skin test is not possible, for example, if you have a severe skin condition like eczema or are taking medication that could interfere with the results.
- What It Involves: A healthcare professional will draw a small sample of blood from your arm.
- How It Works: The sample is sent to a lab to measure the amount of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies that your immune system has produced in response to certain allergens.
- Results: Results typically take a few days to come back from the lab.
When Should You Consider Allergy Testing?
Testing should target suspected allergens based on your history. Broad screening panels can produce misleading positive results and unnecessary food avoidance.
Testing is not needed for everyone. Discuss it with your provider when persistent or recurring symptoms are hard to explain or control:
- Recurring Allergy Symptoms: Symptoms like sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes are often caused by environmental allergens that can be identified through testing.
- Persistent Nasal Congestion: Allergies are one possible cause of ongoing stuffiness. Testing may help when your history suggests an allergic trigger.
- Troublesome Seasonal Symptoms: If your symptoms appear like clockwork at the same time every year, such as in the spring or fall, you likely have seasonal allergies. Testing can confirm which specific pollen are causing these symptoms, allowing you to prepare for allergy season.
- Asthma-Related Concerns: For many people, uncontrolled allergies can trigger asthma flare-ups. Identifying and managing your allergic triggers can be a central part of your asthma action plan.
- Unexplained Skin Reactions: Not all hives, eczema, or rashes are caused by an allergy. Your history helps determine whether targeted allergy tests, patch testing, or another evaluation is appropriate.
- Suspected Food Allergies: A provider can help diagnose food allergies and create a plan to help you avoid foods that cause hives, stomach cramps, or swelling around your mouth after eating.
How Allergy Test Results Guide Your Treatment
The goal is to clarify the diagnosis and guide a practical treatment plan. Your provider interprets results alongside your reactions and medical history. A medically supervised food challenge is sometimes needed to confirm a food allergy; do not try this at home.
Based on your specific allergies, your treatment plan will likely involve a combination of three strategies:
- Trigger Avoidance: Once you know what you are allergic to, you can take steps to reduce your exposure. This could mean using air purifiers, washing bedding frequently to combat dust mites, or avoiding certain foods.
- Medication Management: Your provider may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications, such as antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays, or decongestants, to control your allergy symptoms.
- Immunotherapy: For severe or persistent allergies, your provider may discuss long-term treatments like allergy shots or under-the-tongue tablets.
Recognizing a Severe Allergic Reaction
While most allergic reactions are mild, some can be severe and life-threatening. This type of reaction, called anaphylaxis, requires immediate medical attention.
For suspected anaphylaxis, use prescribed epinephrine immediately and call 911. Antihistamines are not a substitute. Emergency signs include:
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat
- A rapid, weak pulse
- Widespread hives with breathing trouble, faintness, swelling, or repeated vomiting; anaphylaxis can also occur without hives
- Dizziness, fainting, or loss of consciousness
Stop Guessing and Start Managing Your Allergies
If you are tired of letting persistent symptoms from seasonal allergies and allergic rhinitis control your life, it may be time to consider testing. Identifying your triggers is the most important step toward finding a clear allergy treatment plan and achieving long-term relief.
At Urgent Care Clinic of Lincoln, we offer walk-in evaluation and treatment of allergy symptoms. When testing is appropriate, we refer for allergy skin or blood testing.
Sources:
- Allergy Testing – American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
- Allergy tests – Mayo Clinic