A Allergy test is used to detect allergens that can make a living being sick. An allergy test is always used if an allergy is suspected. An allergy test can usually be carried out by your family doctor.
What is an allergy test?
We speak of an allergy when a body reacts to generally harmless substances (animal hair, pollen) with itching eyes, runny nose, shortness of breath or even circulatory collapse.
According to estimates, there are around 25 million allergy sufferers in Germany - and the number is rising. This is why the basic equipment of dermatologists, pulmonologists and allergists always includes an allergy test. An allergy test is used to quickly and reliably determine the body's reactions.
If symptoms of an allergy are already present, the allergy test confirms the diagnosis. If the symptoms are (still) missing, it is clarified: Is the person already reacting sensitively to one or more specific allergens?
Function, effect, application & goal
One Allergy test can only be carried out and evaluated correctly by experienced specialists. For this reason, a visit to a specialist should be compulsory if someone believes they are suffering from an allergy. There are several ways to do an allergy test. The skin prick test is used most frequently. With this allergy test, you can see within a few minutes whether the person being examined suffers from an allergy.
First, the skin on the forearm is minimally scratched. Then the allergenic substance is dripped onto the skin. If there is an allergy, an itchy wheal forms on the skin within a few minutes. In another allergy test, the allergenic substance is injected under the skin. However, this allergy test carries the risk of a severe allergic reaction and is rarely used.
An inhalative allergy test is also possible. Here, the suspected substance is inhaled under medical supervision. An allergy test via the nose is also possible. Some allergy tests also determine the inflammation values or antibodies in the blood using a blood sample. The risk of side effects is zero here. This test procedure is also considered to be the most informative when it comes to determining or excluding an allergy. However, the blood test cannot always exclude the allergy test directly on the patient's body.
This also seems to be a question of cost. The epicutaneous test that used to be often used on the back is now less common. It often led to false positive reactions. If an allergy test is negative, the person examined is most likely not suffering from any allergy. If the allergy test is positive, a decision is made with the doctor on how to proceed (medication, desensitization). An allergy test carried out in good time can therefore help to start therapy as early as possible.
This can often prevent worse things (e.g. asthma). Sometimes an allergy test has to be repeated if the result is not clear. Before an allergy test, it is very important that no antihistamines have been taken for a week. These drugs would reduce any allergic reaction. The allergy test would then be useless.
Dangers & Risks
Performing a Allergy tests is considered safe. As a rule, an allergy test is not dangerous. Carried out in the vicinity of a doctor, emergency equipment is always available for an allergy test. However, there is still a low probability that the person will experience life-threatening shock. Action must be taken immediately and the emergency doctor called.
It also becomes dangerous if a food allergy is to be diagnosed using an allergy test. The allergenic food can trigger delayed reactions. At this point, however, the patient can already be outside the practice. For this reason, food provocations are carried out in the clinic whenever possible.
Another case for the clinic is an allergy test that is supposed to filter out drug intolerance. A very common side effect of an allergy test is circulatory collapse. However, this is not due to the allergenic substance. Tension and psychological stress are usually the triggers.
Furthermore, the skin prick test has a bad reputation as an allergy test because it is only by scratching the skin that it provokes an allergy. However, the scientists disagree and say: an allergy test should ultimately detect the disease and not make you sick yourself.
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