THE ULTIMATE TEST(S)

If you are one of the more than fifty million people in the United States who have allergies, determining what triggers your symptoms will indicate proper treatment. Skin or blood tests performed by a medical professional can be done on almost anyone. Skin testing includes scratching or pricking the skin’s surface with the suspected allergen, and then checking for swelling or redness at that spot. Another approach requires the injection of a small amount of the allergen or allergens; results can often be determined within 20 minutes. Blood tests are done when the individual has a skin condition or takes a particular medication, or for very young children. Results take longer, since samples are sent to a lab for testing.

 

HINT: Certain medications can interfere with allergy skin testing.

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