One of the most vulnerable organs in the body to allergies is the skin. The skin is the largest organ in the body, and since it is directly in contact with the external environment, it is susceptible to damage, especially when exposed to allergens. It is essential to receive the necessary New York skin allergy testing to help your doctor determine the cause of your symptoms and thus develop an ideal treatment plan that will restore the integrity of your skin.
Physicians recommend allergy skin tests to patients with allergic symptoms to understand the cause of the concern, appreciate the allergen responsible, and thus develop the proper treatment protocol to manage symptoms. Some of the conditions physicians confirm the diagnosis for using allergy skin tests include:
- Allergic rhinitis
- Asthma
- Venom allergy
- Penicillin allergy
- Eczema
- Food allergies
Allergy skin tests are generally safe for adults and infants. However, there are specific situations that nullify a patient’s candidacy for allergy skin testing, for example:
Having severe skin allergic reactions: Patients with a history of severe symptoms should not undergo allergy skin testing upon exposure to allergens. Physicians usually conduct allergy skin tests by exposing patients to different allergens to appreciate what causes symptoms. However, some patients may develop anaphylaxis, a life-threatening immune response to allergen exposure.
Being on specific medications is essential to inform your doctor about any current medications because some medicines may interfere with the test results. For example, patients on antihistamines or antidepressants may need to stop taking these medications to prepare the body for the allergy skin tests.
Have certain skin conditions: Allergy skin testing is not an option for patients with chronic skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, especially if the disease is severe and occupies a large area leaving inadequate room for the test. Also, some skin conditions like dermatographism may interfere with the results.
What is the alternative for patients who cannot undergo allergy skin tests?
Physicians usually recommend a blood test for patients who cannot undergo allergy skin testing, for example, in vitro immunoglobulin E antibody tests. However, blood tests are not ideal for patients with penicillin allergies. Furthermore, allergy skin tests are perfect for diagnosing airborne allergens like pollen, dust, and pet dander. Although skin allergy tests can effectively diagnose food allergens, physicians usually recommend additional tests for accurate results.
What are the risks of allergy skin tests?
Allergy skin tests involve exposing an area of the skin to different allergens to understand the cause of a patient’s symptoms. For this reason, the most common side effects of this procedure include swelling, redness, and itching that usually lasts a few days. It is essential to receive allergy skin tests in a medical institution with qualified personnel who can manage complications when they occur. It is also necessary to schedule an initial consultation to help your doctor determine your candidacy for the process., Contact Lumos Dermatology® to schedule an allergy skin test and take the necessary action to manage your condition.