So, you may have been hearing about allergy testing and don’t know much about it. Well, here’s the deal: this article answers common questions asked about allergy testing, so just keep reading to know more.

I believe I am allergic and need a test. What does an allergy test involve?

You may either get tested for allergy through a blood or skin test. The skin allergy testing is performed by Skin Prick, where an allergen droplet is placed on and carefully scratched into your skin. Another skin test method is intradermal skin testing where a needle carrying tiny amounts of the allergen is injected under your skin. As for the blood testing involves drawing blood and taking it to a lab for the test.

Is allergy testing painful?

Not really. However, when some person’s skin is scratched to embed the allergen, they may feel uncomfortable. Then for blood testing, any discomfort you feel is synonymous with how you will feel when blood is drawn.

Should I be exposed to a substance that makes me allergic during the test, is it not possible to experience an allergic reaction?

In theory, the risk of this happening is minimal, so it may happen, but it’s very rare for patients to get triggered into a reaction during allergy testing. An allergic reaction may happen during the test where the entire body is inflamed. Should this be a problem, alternative blood testing may be used.

Will an allergy test take much of my time? When will I get the result?

Once done, the skin allergy test will begin to show off any possible reaction in under 20 minutes. We may see the skin turn red, develop lumps and become warm – signs that you are allergic to that substance. The forearm or upper back are typical sites for skin prick testing as the result from these are precise.

What qualifies me for a skin allergy test, and how do I know if blood testing is what I need?

Should you take medications that will impact the test, you may not be suitable for skin testing. A good example is if you’re taking antihistamines. These medications can impact the way your body responds to skin testing, and the outcome may be flawed. We advise those taking antihistamines and other meds that can disturb the testing to discontinue for 7 to 10 days to rid their body of the medications. If you can’t stop using these medications or have a skin test, a blood test is a good alternative. We offer the best allergy testing at our clinic.

What may be required of me before an allergy test?

Note down every symptom of the allergy you are having, which may be coughing, sneezing, teary eyes, running nose and anything else that is a sign of an allergy before meeting with your allergist. Again, tell them all that sets off your allergic reaction at your appointment.

I am aware I can have food and environmental allergies tests. What about having testing for insect and medicinal allergies?

While you may get tested for food allergies and those caused by substances in the environment: mould, trees, dust mites, grasses, and pet dander, it is possible to get tested for overreaction to stinging insects like fire ants, hornets, wasps, and bees should your medical history show traces of allergic reaction.

As for medicinal allergy testing, it is only for penicillin that an allergy test can be conducted presently. But for those whose history shows they have a medicinal allergy, the allergist will first get more information on the condition and develop a custom allergy skin testing to detect the cause of the allergy or another treatment option that will be effective.

Is allergy testing open to everybody?

Yes. Both children and adults can come in for an allergy test. However, we advise you seek the counsel of experts in allergy or immunology to know how to go about the testing. Again, infants can get tested too. But speak to your allergist about infant allergy testing.

If the result of my skin or blood test for a food allergy comes out as positive, does that imply I have an allergy to that food?

To be diagnosed with a food allergy, the doctor looks at your medical history for recurring reactions to and symptoms experienced when you come into contact with that specific food, together with the result of a skin or blood test that’s positive.

If your test result is positive yet you do not have any symptoms, it is not concluded that you are allergic to the food in consideration. For instance, should you be in the habit of drinking milk every other day and don’t experience any issues or symptoms after drinking it, if your allergy test is positive, there is no final decision that you have a milk allergy.

There is a need to seek the expert services of those trained in allergy/immunology to interpret allergy test results. This is important so you are well guided and do not make mistakes following a wrong conclusion from allergy testing.

Are you thinking of getting allergy testing in UK?

Allergies are common and if you want to get tested for an allergy, please don’t hesitate to visit Medical Express Clinic for your private skin prick allergy testing in UK. You can even book a consultation with our professional allergist to learn more about allergies, possible symptoms, triggers, and how to get treated.We offer bespoke solutions for those experiencing different types of allergies as we aim to ensure they live a stress-free and healthy life.So, if you think an allergy test is what you need, then book an appointment today with our team.