Your doctor can test for allergies in several different ways to find out what causes your allergy symptoms. Let’s look at two common methods of testing for allergies at South Florida ENT Associates – skin allergy testing and blood allergy testing.

The Benefits of Skin Allergy Tests

Skin tests are very commonly performed on patients across the United States. They’re very quick and reliable as well as cost effective. They’re safe for patients and can be performed on children, infants, and adults. They can also be used to test for more than 30 kinds of allergens at once. Skin tests can be used to detect several different allergic conditions, such as:

• Allergic rhinitis
• Allergic asthma
• Allergies caused by mold
• Food allergies
• Allergies to insects such as bees, wasps, and hornets
• Eczema
• Latex allergies
• Allergies to penicillin

How Can Skin Tests Be Performed?

There are several different ways your doctor can test for allergies using skin testing. Some of these options include the skin prick test, intradermal tests, and the patch test. Depending on the severity of your allergies, your doctor will recommend the best way to test for allergies using any one of the skin allergy tests provided in the office.

The Benefits of Blood Allergy Tests

Blood tests can also be used to detect allergies in patients. The good thing about these tests is that they can be done no matter what medications or skin conditions a patient may suffer from that leads to inaccurate or inconclusive results on skin tests. Patients are recommended to have blood allergy tests done when there is a history of anaphylaxis, asthma that is poorly controlled, and other medical conditions that could make skin tests less ideal.

How Do Allergy Tests on Blood Work?

When there is an allergic reaction, your body will produce an excess of a hormone known as immunoglobulin E. These are antibodies located in the bloodstream that the body uses to fight off anything foreign that the body perceives as a threat. A sample of your blood will be drawn and analyzed for elevated levels of Immunoglobulin E (IgE), which indicate that an allergic reaction is occurring.