Allergy Testing
Allergy Testing
Is a blood test or finger stick test for allergies as good as skin testing?
Do I need to stop taking my antihistamines or other allergy medicines before I get the Allergy test?
There is a detailed list of medications provided below that must be stopped prior to testing.
Are there any side effects to the test?
No. The benefit of the allergy testing is that it’s more specific than skin testing for allergies, but does not have any risks, such as local or systemic reactions (anaphylaxis).
What does it mean when the test says I’m a 4 on dust mites and a 2 for cats?
These tests reveal not only whether you are allergic to common environmental elements, but also quantified each allergen on a scale from 1-6, with the higher the number indicating more sensitivity to that particular allergen. We use these differences to determine starting points for your allergy treatment.
How do I decide whether or not to get on allergy treatment?
If you can control your allergy symptoms with a single daily medication with possibly the addition of a second allergy medicine during seasonal flare-ups, then you should utilize the allergy test results and make environmental changes as necessary. However, if you need two or more medications seasonally or year-round, and despite these medicines continue to have break-through symptoms, you should consider immunotherapy.
At what age can my child start immunotherapy?
Often, children are started on allergy treatment too soon. Staring too soon is ineffective due to rapid immune system changes occurring in young children. Often, the child’s maturity level is not adequate for weekly allergy shots. We have found that allergy test results become more uniform from year-to-year in children between the ages of seven and nine. Children this age are usually mature enough to handle a weekly injection. With sublingual delivery of immunotherapy becoming a mainstay of treatment we are able to treat children earlier comfortably
My child has asthma. Should they be tested for allergies or receive allergy immunotherapy?
My child has eczema, should I be tested for food allergies?
Yes. Although skin manifestations of allergies may or may not be IgE mediated, most children, especially infants, will have positive test results on allergenex/immunoCAP and benefit significantly from the information as a guide for their diet.
My child has positive test results for food allergy and eczema/urticaria. Can they do shots, and if not, what can they do?
I know that I am allergic, but the allergy test says that I have no allergies. How is that possible?
Well, it is not unusual for patients to be treated for allergies or have allergy symptoms, but not actually have IgE mediated allergies. This doesn’t mean that environmental elements can’t or don’t affect you; it just means your immune system isn’t sensized to those elements.
How long until I notice an improvement in my symptoms after starting my immunotherapy?
Most patients will notice a difference within 4-6 months, and all should benefit by 12 months. This assumes no break in therapy, so it’s important that you do not miss your treatment doses.
I had allergies as a child and was on shots for 3-4 years and did well until I turned 40. Now, they seem to be back. Is this possible?
Some patients who suffered from allergies as a youth and underwent immunotherapy will have IgE hypersensitivity return later in life. You can benefit again from immunotherapy as an adult.
How does immunotherapy work?
Do these blocking antibodies last forever?
No. They will slowly decrease after you stop therapy. But, a deeper level of your immune system termed the T helper cells, which control the type of IgE your body makes, changes after you have been on shots for a few years which can lead to the permanent benefit, or cure, for your allergies.
The tests you are describing evaluate for IgG recognition of those substances. There is no evidence that IgG mediates any reactions in our bodies to those substances. It merely reflects that your body has been exposed to them.
I have hives. Is it likely these are allergic in nature?
No. patients with hives typically are negative on allergy assessment, except being an allergic food trigger. We have skin allergy testing clinic in Frisco, Mckinney, Texas.
Allergy Testing
What is an allergy?
An allergy is an immune system response to an external substance that’s not characteristically harmful to the body as we have been the best skin allergy testing center in Frisco, Mckinney, Texas. These foreign substances are called allergens. They can include certain foods, pet dander or pollen. The role of the immune systems is to keep the body healthy by fighting against harmful pathogens. It is achieved by attacking anything it thinks could place the body in danger. Depending on the allergen, the response may involve sneezing, inflammation, or a host of other symptoms.
What are the symptoms of allergies?
The symptoms of allergies are the result of several factors. These include the type of allergy and how severe the allergy is.
Food allergies can trigger nausea, fatigue, swelling, hives and more. In order to realize for a person that they have a food allergy it may take some time.
Seasonal allergies Hay fever symptoms can mimic those of a cold. These include congestion, runny nose, and swollen eyes.
Severe allergies can cause anaphylaxis. This is a life-threatening emergency condition that can lead to breathing difficulties, light-headedness, and loss of consciousness; this condition needs immediate medical assistance.
What are the allergies on the skin?
Skin allergies can be a sign or symptom of an allergy. They may be the direct result of exposure to an allergen, eating food that was allergic to can cause several symptoms which include tingling in the mouth and throat and also develop a rash. Contact dermatitis, however, is the result of direct contact of skin with an allergen. We are also the skin allergy testing clinic in Frisco, Mckinney, Texas.
What are the various types of skin allergies?
Hives and Angioedema, dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis
What are the causes of allergies?
Allergies have a genetic component. Hence it may be inherited from parents. However, only a common susceptibility to an allergic reaction is genetic.
Common allergens include animal products; these include pet dander, dust mite waste, and cockroaches, drugs, penicillin and sulfa containing drugs are common triggers, foods (wheat, nuts, milk, shellfish), plants, pollens from grass, weeds, and trees, insect stings (include bees, wasps, and mosquitoes, mould, airborne spores) other allergens, latex, often found in condoms and latex gloves, and metals like nickel are also common allergens, seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, are some of the most common allergies.
What are the treatments options available for allergy?
The finest method to avoid allergies is to stay away from any kind of triggers that cause a reaction. If avoiding allergies is not possible, there are various treatment options available. Allergy treatment often includes medications like antihistamines to control symptoms. These medications can be prescription drugs or over the counter drugs.
Allergy medications include:
Antihistamines (Diphenhydramine, Cetirizine, Loratadine, Pheniramine) Decongestants (Ephedrine, propylhexedrine); whereas Leukotriene Modifiers (meclofenamate, montelukast) should only be prescribed if there are no other right treatment options. Emergency treatment includes Epinephrine shot. Immunotherapy is involved in the course for a few years to support the body get used to the allergen. One can prevent allergy symptoms from returning with the help of a successful immunotherapy. We also have food allergy test center in Frisco, Mckinney, Texas.
Natural remedies, many natural remedies and supplements are available as a treatment and even a way to prevent allergies, some of which includes some dried teas. Some people use these oils to relieve common symptoms of allergies, but essential oils still contain ingredients that can cause allergies.
What are the allergy tests?
Allergy testing can be performed as skin tests or as blood tests. Usually, allergy tests are done under the direction of an allergy specialist. These specialists are trained in the best methods for testing and treating allergies.
Allergy skin tests: Skin tests give fast results; also, they generally cost less than allergy blood tests, but some medicines can interfere with the test results. The test should be done by a person with lots of training. During allergy skin tests, the skin is exposed to suspected allergy-causing substances (allergens) and is then observed for signs of an allergic reaction. As we also have blood test labs in Frisco, Mckinney, Texas.
Allergy skin tests are widely used to help diagnose allergic conditions, including hay fever, food allergies, and penicillin allergy. Medications can interfere with results; some medications can suppress allergic reactions, preventing skin testing from giving accurate results. Other medications may increase your risk of developing a severe allergic reaction during a test; hence submit all prescription and non-prescription drugs list to the doctor.
Skin prick test: A skin prick test, also called a scratch test or puncture, checks for instant allergic reactions to as many as 50 different substances at once. This test is usually done to recognize allergies to pollen, mould, pet dander, dust mites and foods. The test is usually performed on the forearm in case of the adults and in children it may be tested on the upper back. Allergy skin tests aren’t painful. This type of testing uses needles that scarcely penetrate the skin’s surface. So we provide skin allergy testing center in Frisco, Mckinney, Texas.
Patch test: Patch testing is usually done to see whether a particular substance is causing allergic skin inflammation (contact dermatitis). Patch tests are useful in detecting delayed allergic reactions, which can take several days to develop. Patch tests do not use needles. Instead, allergens are applied to patches, which are then located on the skin. During a patch test, the skin may be exposed to 25 to 30 extracts of substances that can cause contact dermatitis. These can include medications, fragrances, latex, preservatives, metals, hair dyes, and resins.
Allergy blood tests: Blood tests are useful because they involve a single needle prick. Medicine does not interfere with the results. Blood tests cost more than skin tests. There are many types of allergy blood tests. Some types are more helpful than others. This includes blood will be tested for the presence of allergy-causing antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE). We also provide food allergy test clinic in Frisco, Mckinney, Texas.
How can we prevent allergies?
There are no ways to prevent allergies. But there are means to prevent the symptoms from occurring. The best way to prevent allergy symptoms is to avoid the allergens that trigger them. Avoidance is the most effective way to prevent food allergy symptoms preventing seasonal, contact, and other allergies come down to knowing where the allergens are located. Use of air filters in high pollution areas, getting your air ducts professionally cleaned, and a dusting of the home regularly. Proper allergy testing can help identify exact triggers, which makes them easier to avoid.
What are the complications of allergies?
Anaphylaxis is a serious reaction to the exposure of allergens. Most people associate anaphylaxis with food, but any allergen can cause the tell-tale signs: suddenly narrowed airways, increased heart rate, possible swelling of the tongue and mouth.
Asthma is a common respiratory condition. Asthma is closely related to allergies. Certainly, allergies can make existing asthma worse. Allergy can also trigger asthma in a person who’s never had the condition. If these conditions occur together, it’s a condition called allergy-induced asthma, or allergic asthma. As we have been providing wound care clinic in Frisco, Mckinney, Texas.
Allergies can impact the immune system for prolonged periods of time. When the immune system is compromised, it makes it more likely to pick up viruses that come into contact with. This includes the virus that causes the common cold.