Allergy Test

An allergy test is indicated when the patient exhibits any one of the following symptoms:

• Itchy eyes, nose and throat; watery eyes; hay fever; nose and chest congestion; cough; and wheezing
• Itchiness on the skin or eczema
• Abdominal cramps and vomiting after eating certain food items
• Reactions to insect bites
• Breathlessness and swelling of lips, mucous membranes and respiratory passages, which are indicative of a serious allergy called anaphylactic reaction

There are no special preparations required for this test. If you are taking any medications or drugs, it is advised to inform the physician prior to the test.

A physician or allergist will first take a complete medical history followed by a thorough physical examination. Allergy test is then conducted in the following ways:

• Oral test: An allergist will give small amounts of the suspected food allergens in the form of a capsule or injection. The patient will be closely monitored to observe for a reaction. If the reaction is positive, it is quickly responded with treatment.
• Elimination diet: This method is used to find out specific foods which may be causing allergy. The person is asked to eliminate suspected food items immediately from their diet. Then, each food item is included one by one, observing for an allergic reaction. This method is not recommended for persons with a risk of a severe reaction.
• Skin prick test: In this test, an allergist will prick a small amount of the suspected item into the skin of the forearm or on the back. If a red, itchy bump develops at the injection site, it signifies allergy to that particular food item.
• Blood test: This test checks for the number of  IgE antibodies in blood. A blood sample will be drawn from the arm for testing. There may be a slight stinging sensation at the time of the prick. This test usually lasts for 5-10 minutes.

Normal results: If there is no reaction to a substance taken orally or injected, it means the person is not allergic to that substance.

Abnormal results: If there is a reaction to the substance injected or ingested, it signifies an allergy to that substance.

The best way to take care of allergies is to avoid the substance that causes the allergy and eliminate it from the diet completely if it is a food item. Labels on food items should be carefully read as they may contain allergy-causing substances. Family members, caretakers, teachers, restaurants and people preparing and serving foods should be warned to not include such food items while cooking meals. If a person is at a high risk of developing an allergic reaction, an allergist will provide an epinephrine injection to be taken during an acute episode.

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. This information is purely from an educational perspective and is in no way a substitute for medical advice from a qualified doctor.