Your simple guide to allergy tests

Posted: 4th March 2020 | Posted by Costa

Your simple guide to allergy tests

Allergies are a nuisance – just ask 44% of the UK population. We are more aware of the negative effects allergies can have on us, such as deadly anaphylactic shocks. This means we’re more cautious of how our body responds to certain foods, products, or animals.

But sometimes your allergy can be a big question mark. You have allergic reactions from time to time but have no idea why. That’s where an allergy test can come in handy. But with so many different types of tests, how do you know which one to go for? Let’s break down some of the common allergy tests you might come across.

Blood test

We’ll start with one of the oldest and maybe one that isn’t for the squeamish amongst you. A blood test is exactly what it sounds like. A sample of your blood is taken and analysed for specific antibodies in your system.

If you are squeamish, then good news! Modern blood tests can analyse for hundreds of allergies with the same sample. So you don’t have to go through multiple tests to get your results. The downside? Blood tests are hard to analyse on their own and are best done along with another type of test…

Skin prick test

This might be the most common test. In this, a sample of an allergen is put on your skin and a small prick made to break your skin. This lets the allergen soak in. If you’re allergic to it, you will see a small, red, bite-like bump form. It won’t take more than 15 minutes.

Usually, multiple allergens are tested at once, making your skin look a bit like a bingo card. But don’t worry, it’s a safe and relatively painless procedure. This type of test pairs well with blood tests to get a complete picture.

Patch test

This is more commonly used to test for contact dermatitis, a type of eczema. It’s similar to the skin prick test in that some of the allergen is placed on your skin. This time, there’s no skin prick and it’s left on you for 48 hours. After that, a doctor will be able to see how your skin has reacted and if you have an allergy.

Elimination diet

This is mainly used for food allergies. If you suspect something in particular is causing a reaction, you can eliminate it from your diet and see if things improve. Feel bloated after a pizza? Cut out dairy and see how you feel. Don’t try this on your own though – always consult a professional.

The same advice can be said for every test. Don’t play with your health; let an expert allergist decide on the test. No matter which type of test you go for, always trust the opinion of your doctors. They can get you back to your healthy self in no time again.

At the London Allergy & Immunology Centre, we specialise in state-of-the-art allergy testing and can even assist with at-home testing. If you have an allergy that’s bothering you, don’t hesitate to get in touch on 02031 433 449.