If you’ve spent a large part of winter suffering through allergy symptoms, you probably have an environmental allergy. Environmental substances that can cause allergy symptoms include pet dander, dust, dust mites and mold. Perhaps you know you’re having allergy symptoms, but aren’t sure which substance is triggering your reaction. In that case, it’s time for an allergy test.
Types of Allergy Tests
Allergy treatment starts with knowing what is triggering your symptoms, and that’s where allergy testing comes in. There are two main categories of allergy tests: skin prick testing and blood testing. Both are highly accurate and effective at identifying your allergy triggers, but there are some key differences between the two.
Skin Prick Testing
In a skin prick test, a small prick or scratch is made into the skin, and then a drop of a solution containing a potential allergen is placed on top of the prick, allowing the substance to get just beneath the skin’s surface. If the site becomes red, itchy or inflamed, it indicates a reaction and a possible allergy.
Blood Testing
A blood test, as the name suggests, requires having your blood drawn. The lab will use the blood sample to detect the presence of certain antibodies called IgE, which relate to specific substances (e.g., pet dander, dust, mold). If IgE for pet dander, for example, is present in the blood sample, it indicates an allergy to pet dander.
Which Test Is More Effective for Identifying Environmental Allergies?
As said above, both methods are highly accurate and effective. Skin prick testing is the most commonly chosen test, as results are faster and can test for multiple substances simultaneously. Skin prick testing also costs less than a blood test. That’s not to say that the blood test doesn’t have its advantages: blood tests do not rely on causing a reaction, so they’re generally less uncomfortable than a skin prick test, which will probably cause some itching at the site of the skin prick. You also do not have to stop taking medication in the days before a blood test, unlike for a skin prick test.
For environmental allergies specifically, a skin prick test is probably your best option. As mentioned, results are faster, but the main reason why skin prick testing works better for environmental allergies is that environmental allergies are usually milder than other types (i.e., less chance of severe or dangerous symptoms, like anaphylaxis) and are most commonly contracted through touch or other skin exposure.
That said, every person and every person’s allergies are different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution. To know what will work best for you, your possible allergies and your symptoms, it’s best to consult an allergy expert to determine which type of test you need.
Treatment
Whether you choose a skin prick test or a blood test, your results will guide the start of your allergy treatment. You and your allergist will use your results to discuss potential medications or long-term treatments that can help you manage your uncomfortable symptoms.
If you’re ready to get an allergy test and find out what substance or substances are causing your allergic reaction, contact Carolina Pines ENT today. We are happy to schedule an appointment for an allergy test with you.