How Does Allergy Testing Work?

Allergy testing is a diagnostic procedure that serves two purposes. For one, it helps you determine if you are allergic. Furthermore, this medical test helps establish the substances that trigger your allergy symptoms.

How does allergy testing work? Learn how the diagnostic test works from ARCpoint Labs of San Rafael, a third-party health and wellness testing administrator.

When Should You Get Allergy Testing?

You should have an allergy test done if your body reacts to certain substances that are not harmful. The abnormal reaction could be persistent sneezing, wheezing, itchy eyes, and skin rashes. Moreover, the unwanted body reaction to non-harmful substances could be swelling or digestive problems.

The most notable triggers for allergic reactions include dust, mold spores, animal dander, and certain foods such as nuts and dairy. Moreover, you might be sensitive to the following substances.

• Latex

• Certain metals like nickel

• Insect bites

• Chemicals like fragrances

• Medicines like penicillin

Allergy symptoms occur when you are exposed to the above allergens. Exposure can be through inhalation of airborne substances such as pollen or ingestion. In addition, exposure to allergens can occur through skin contact.

What to Expect During an Allergy Test

During your first appointment, you'll meet and discuss your medical history and symptoms with a clinician. After an evaluation, the doctor will order a skin or blood test to determine if you are truly allergic. How does allergy testing work? Here is an overview of how the two main allergy tests work.

Blood Test

A blood test determines if you have allergies based on the concentration of IgE antibodies. Usually, the immune system produces high quantities of IgE, antibodies that help fight foreign substances.

How is allergy testing done? During the blood test, the lab technologists at our health and wellness testing facility will draw a small blood sample from a vein in your forearm. Afterward, we will send the sample to our reputable labs for analysis.

The blood test for allergies is generally painless. Many clients report feeling a slight pinch when the doctor inserts the needle into a vein in their arm.

Skin Test

During a skin test for allergies, your clinician will expose your skin to various allergens. How does allergy testing work? Specifically, a doctor will scratch a section of the skin on your forearm or upper back and then apply a solution with various allergens.

After exposing your skin, the doctor will watch out for signs of allergies like itching. Just like the blood test, the skin test for allergies is safe. Nevertheless, you may experience some slight discomfort, like itching.

How to prepare for allergy testing? Your healthcare provider will give you instructions when preparing for a skin test. Instructions may include avoiding certain medications and foods. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing to make skin testing easier.

When to Expect Allergy Test Results

Skin allergy tests provide results within minutes. Usually, your skin will show signs of allergies, such as redness, itching, and swelling, almost immediately. So, a skin allergy test would be ideal if you want immediate diagnostic results.

Blood test results often take longer – around two weeks. The results take a long time since the testing process is quite time-consuming. We must send your blood sample to one of our labs for analysis.

Regain Control of Your Life and Get Allergy Testing Today!

Untreated allergies can affect the quality of your life. The reason? The sensitivity to harmless substances causes sneezing, watery eyes, skin rashes, and other discomforts. The tests will help you find out if you should seek treatment.