How do I get tested for allergies?

Allergy treatment can only be effective if the allergen that provokes the immune reaction is identified in a timely manner. Taking allergy tests means identifying the causative agents of the body's aggressive response, which can react to the following groups of allergens:

• Household – wool, dander and waste products of animals (saliva, urine), household dust.
• Food – cow's milk protein, citrus fruits, nuts, seafood, eggs, chocolate, berries, red vegetables and fruits, and so on.
• Plant - pollen from plants and trees.
• Medicinal – medicines (most often antibiotics).
• Industrial – glue, household chemicals, paints, perfumes.
• Insect bites – wasp, bee, mosquito bites.
• Viral - pathogens of various diseases, bacteria, viruses, fungi.

It should be noted that there are objective difficulties in determining the main antigen or hapten, due to the fact that in the last ten years, single-component allergies have practically never been encountered; cross-disease is diagnosed much more often. Therefore, taking allergy tests means undergoing a whole range of examinations that help to identify the most dangerous allergens.

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How can I get tested for allergies?

Any medical examination begins with collecting anamnesis, i.e. complaints, signs and symptoms of the disease, the specifics of its development, heredity and conditions under which the allergy manifests itself especially intensely are clarified. Methods of examining an allergic patient can be divided into two categories:

• In vivo – with the direct participation of the patient himself in the process (skin tests, provocations).
• In vitro – only blood serum is needed.

Then tests are prescribed, which can be performed using the following methods:

1. Skin prick tests.
2. Detection of specific immunoglobulins, Ig E antibodies.
3. Provocations, provocative tests.
4. Elimination test.

Skin prick tests.

The test is performed using scarification (scratch) or prick testing (prick) and is aimed at identifying a group of allergens that cause typical allergic symptoms. These methods are considered painless and are performed on the skin in the forearm area. The skin area is treated with an antiseptic, and the allergen is applied to it drop by drop. If it is recommended to take allergy tests using the scarification method, the skin is scratched with a scarifier directly through the drop with allergens. If a prick test is prescribed, small pricks are applied through the drop using a sterile disposable needle. Both methods are completely bloodless, as they involve only superficial damage to the skin. Usually, no more than 15 tests are performed at a time. The body's reaction appears after 15 or 20 minutes in the form of a small localized swelling and redness. There is also a completely non-aggressive method - application (patch test), when drops with an allergen are applied to a special patch, the patch is attached to the skin. The reaction of the skin in the form of itching, hyperemia, swelling indicates a positive response to the presented allergen. All these methods have contraindications: •

• Children under 5 years old.
• If the medical history indicates a case of anaphylactic shock.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women.
• Age after 60 years.
• Hormonal therapy.
• Exacerbation of diseases - allergic, gastrointestinal, cardiac, nervous and others.

Determination of IgE and IgG4 antibodies or quantitative determination of specific immunoglobulins

This method (in vitro) is considered highly sensitive and determines the entire group of true provoking allergens. The fact is that initially the blood contains a small amount of Ig E, in case of an immediate-type allergy this amount significantly exceeds the normal range. The method of detecting specific antibodies most often helps to identify food allergens, which complements the diagnostic information obtained by provocative or skin methods. The method is very convenient in that allergy tests can be taken during an exacerbation of both an allergic reaction and an exacerbation of another disease. In addition, the determination of immunoglobulins is not contraindicated for pregnant women, elderly patients and children. The analysis will require blood from a vein 3 hours after eating.

The RAST method is also effective – a radioallergosorbent test that detects the level of IgE when introducing specific triggers – allergens. The RAST method is good because its results are not affected by drug therapy, including antihistamines, and is suitable even for examining small children.

RIST method (radioimmunosorbent paper indicator). The method is effective in allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, sinusitis and bronchitis. RIST gives a fairly informative and accurate picture of the level of IgE and IgG antibodies.

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Provocative methods

Provocative tests are necessary in cases where skin tests and IgE level studies do not provide an accurate diagnostic picture and the doctor has doubts about the true causative agent of the disease. Provocations are carried out only in hospitals under strict medical supervision. The method involves introducing a small amount of allergen sublingually (under the tongue), nasally (into the nose), and less often directly into the bronchi. A certain amount of time is allocated for the interaction of the allergen with the body, then the symptoms, that is, the reaction, are assessed. Of course, allergic symptoms can manifest themselves quite intensely, which is why provocations are prescribed quite rarely and for strict medical indications.

Elimination tests.

It happens that an allergic reaction occurs periodically, but most often the body has the ability to constantly react to a certain irritant. The method of exclusion (elimination) determines the provocative substance. A clear example is the elimination diet, when "suspicious" products are gradually removed from the allergy sufferer's diet, the patient's condition is monitored, and the symptoms are assessed. As a rule, with the correct "guess" and exclusion of the allergen, noticeable relief and a decrease in the allergic reaction occurs in a couple of weeks.

Also, in addition to the fact that an allergy sufferer will need to take allergy tests, a good help in monitoring the condition is keeping an “allergy diary”, in which all cases of reactions to all kinds of irritants, the time and intensity of symptoms are described.

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