How Different Skin Allergy Tests Help to Narrow Down Allergy Triggers

For people suffering from allergies, there are a number of tests that can be done to determine what exactly is triggering their condition. Cutting down on the number of possibilities is a long and time consuming process, but once done, it could save the patient from a lifetime of problems.

Allergy tests done to narrow the triggers include the allergy skin test or the blood allergy test. The choice is up to the patient, but skin tests are usually less expensive than blood tests. In the category of skin tests, there is the skin prick test where the allergen is dropped on a series of scratches on the skin. The other method is the intradermal testing where the allergen is injected into the skin; this is a very sensitive test and usually gives perfect results.

In many cases, intradermal testing is done for to check for allergies against penicillin, bee or wasp venom. The patient is usually questioned by the doctor about lifestyle, food and eating habits, current medications, and history of present illness. There is a slight pricking sensation when injected, and there have been cases where the patient has developed rash, red watery eyes, and itching.

Besides the drug allergies and bee venom, Intradermal Testing of the skin may be ordered by the treating physician to find out triggers for asthma, allergic rhinitis, urticaria, food allergies, dermatitis, and snake venom. A negative test signals that the patient is not allergic to the product, food, venom, or other triggers.