Why It Is Done
Allergy testing is done to find out what
substances (allergens) cause an allergic reaction.
Skin test
The skin prick test can also be done
to:
- Identify inhaled (airborne) allergens, such
as tree, shrub, and weed pollens, molds, dust, feathers, and pet
dander.
- Identify likely food allergens (such as eggs, milk,
peanuts, nuts, fish, soy, wheat, or shellfish).
- Determine whether
a person may be allergic to a
or insect venom.
Blood test
A blood test on a blood sample may be
done instead of a skin prick test if a person:
- Has
or another skin condition, such as
, that makes it hard to see the results of skin
testing.
- Cannot stop taking a medicine, such as an
or tricyclic antidepressant, that may
prevent or reduce a reaction to a substance even when a person is allergic to
the substance.
- Has had a severe allergic reaction ().
- Has had positive skin tests
to many foods. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) can find out the foods
that a person is most allergic to.