People can be allergic to any number of things. Everything from food to pets to common plant pollen can cause allergic reactions. The effects of these allergies range from mildly irritating to life-threatening, so it’s important to consult an Allergist in Louisville KY at the first signs of an allergic reaction. In the case of pollen, dust, and pet dander allergies, symptoms are usually fairly benign and resemble those of a common cold.
Once a patient has determined they are experiencing environmental allergies, a specialist can begin the diagnostic process to help them discover what is causing the reaction. Tests commonly used for narrowing down the source of allergic reactions include skin tests and blood tests.
Skin tests come in three different forms: scratch tests, intradermal tests, and patch tests. A scratch test involves leaving small drops of potential allergens on the patient’s forearm or back and scratching off the top layer of his or her skin to allow the allergen to penetrate. The procedure may induce skin irritation but is not painful. Intradermal tests require a health care professional to inject a tiny amount of the suspected allergen directly into the patient’s body just below the skin. In either of these first two cases, the doctor will wait anywhere between five and fifteen minutes before checking for a reaction. Patch tests take much longer. A patch with a potential allergen must be worn for two days, at which point the patient will return to the doctor to evaluate whether or not it has had any effect. This helps to rule out delayed reactions.
Should a patient be unable to undergo skin tests due to a skin condition, the use of interfering medications, or other disqualifying medical issues such as asthma or some heart conditions, an Allergist in Louisville KY will have to order a blood test instead? These tests involve taking a small amount of blood and sending it to a lab for evaluation. Because the samples must be sent out, it can take weeks, while a skin test provides immediate results. Only when the results of these tests are back can a patient move on to discussing treatment options with his or her physician. Find more information about allergies and allergy testing online today to get started.