Allergy is listed at number six of all chronic ailments that are suffered by the people of the US. So, proper diagnosis and treatment of allergies is very important. If you have symptoms of an allergy, you should consult a physician who will prescribe you a diagnosis test. The doctor will ask you a number of questions to understand the particular type of allergen affecting you.
Common Tests
The most common tests for allergy are skin tests which are of three types - patch test, prick test and intradermal test. The other tests done for the correct diagnosis and treatment of allergies include blood test, elimination test, spirometry and double blind food challenge.
Patch test is done to find out whether the person is suffering from contact dermatitis or eczema. The allergen is applied for a certain period on the skin. The allergen is kept for thirty minutes on the skin in case of contact dermatitis. The result is positive if the skin turns red, swells or feels itchy. The allergen is left for longer period to test for atopic dermatitis.
Prick test is the oldest and most popular test. After pricking, puncturing or scratching the skin with the help of a needle, the allergen is kept on the area for 15 minutes. The test is positive if the skin appears red, itchy and swollen as in the case of a mosquito bite.
If the outcome is negative, intradermal test of the skin can be done. The allergen that is suspected is directly injected in the skin’s topmost layer in this test.
These tests are very essential for the right diagnosis and treatment of allergies.
Other Tests For Allergies
Blood test or radioallergosorbent test is done to find out the number of antibodies present for a certain allergen. The type of allergy can also be found out by complete blood count. It is done to determine the allergies for which skin test cannot be done. It is also done to find out whether the patient has outgrown a particular kind of food allergy.
In elimination test, the patient has to eliminate one item at a time from the diet. Spirometry is done to diagnose asthma. Double blind food challenge is rarely done to test the less severe food allergies. Capsules containing food items are given to swallow. These tests help the doctors in the accurate diagnosis and treatment of allergies.
Treatment
Allergy can be treated by medicines like antihistamines, decongestants, eye drops, nasal sprays, steroid pills or shots. Antihistamines take care of irritation of skin, sneezing and running nose. Decongestants reduce nasal stuffiness and are found in several forms. Eye drops are given to fight eye allergy. Nasal sprays lessen the allergen effect. They are helpful if taken before being exposed to allergen.
Steroid pills or shots are also advised in certain cases. Shots are given in small quantities so that the body does not have any adverse reaction to it. Shots are given if the particular allergen is found and if it is impossible to avoid it all the time.
There are a number of tests and drugs available for the efficient diagnosis and treatment of allergies.