If you’ve been suffering from allergy symptoms, you’re not alone: over 30% of Americans have allergies. Common allergy symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, facial pressure and a sore throat. The best way to treat allergy symptoms is to avoid your allergy triggers in the first place. However, you can’t avoid your allergy triggers if you do not know what you’re allergic to.
That’s where allergy testing comes in. Our team at Willamette ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery is passionate and knowledgeable about allergy care, starting with allergy testing. So let’s discuss the two types of allergy tests, how they work and the pros and cons of each.
Skin Prick Allergy Test
The skin prick test is the most common allergy test method. A small amount of an allergen is placed on your skin, and then we lightly prick the skin with a needle to allow the allergen to enter just below the skin. This allows us to observe the reaction without it fully entering your body. After a 15-minute wait, we observe the site for any swelling or redness to indicate that an allergic reaction has taken place. It will resemble a mosquito bite, and it will likely itch like one too.
This is typically the more popular choice for people who want an allergy test, as results are quicker. However, you must stop taking allergy medications for the seven days prior to the test to ensure that an allergic reaction is not hindered.
Blood Allergy Test
In a blood test, a blood sample is taken and processed, and the results are returned within a few days. It searches for and measures an allergen-specific antibody (called IgE, which is short for immunoglobulin E). The more of these antibodies are present, the more likely you are to have an allergy.
While blood tests are slower and often more expensive than skin prick tests, they do have the benefit that they do not expose you to the allergens as part of testing. If there are concerns that the allergy is severe and there’s a risk of a medical emergency, like anaphylaxis, a blood test is a much safer option. They also won’t result in an itchy reaction like a skin prick test.
Request an Allergy Test
If you don’t know what’s causing your allergy symptoms, call Willamette ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery to schedule an allergy test today. We’ll discuss which type of allergy test is the best option for you, and when results are in, we’ll help you with all your allergy management needs.
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