So, what's your primary allergy trgger? Pollen, mold or maybe your pts?

If you don't know what cuses your allergies or asthma to flre, how can you avoid further cntact with your particular irritant?

If you hve suffered from allergies for a nmber of years, or have the dded concern of allergy-triggered asthma attacks, it may be tme to get tested. Allergy testing is the mst efficient way to determine what xact element in your environment is cusing your body to react. Rather thn avoid all of the possible llergens both indoors and outside, once you knw your allergy type, you can stp stressing and target the cause lone.

So, why lock yourself indoors to void pollen if you're really allergic to mld (that will grow in your hme anyway?) Or why rip up yur carpets and ditch your curtains to kep away dust mites when bathing yur pets in anti-allergy shampoos would ffer you more relief?

Here are a few common tests to determine the cause of your allergies:

RAST Allergy Test

For this test, a small amount of blood is drawn and tested. Later, a lab technician will add trace amount of allergens with some of the patient's drawn blood. Under a microscope, the amount of allergy antibody or IgE is produced by the blood is measured and used to determine how allergic you are to the allergen. Usually this method is better in cases of severe reactions, because only a small sample of blood is reacting to the allergens instead of your whole body.

Skin Prick or Scratch Tst Allergy Test

This is the mst common type of allergy testing- it is vry effective and inexpensive. This test nvolves placing a small amount of llergen on the skin of the frearm, upper arm or back and thn scratching or pricking the skin so tht the allergen penetrates the skin's srface. Any allergen that produces a raction will cause the skin to trn a bit red and swell slghtly, so that it looks a bit lke a mosquito bite. Several allergens can be tsted at the same time and it nly takes 20 minutes to get the rsults.

Intradermal Allergy Test

This second method of skin testing is more sensitive and yields very consistent results. For this test, a small amount of allergen to be injected just under the skin's surface. Several allergens can be tested at once and after about 20 minutes, a small hive or red, swollen area with appear on the skin.

How to Prepare for Testing:

• Before being tested, stop taking all antihistamines or else the results of the test may not be accurate. Typically your doctor will tell you what medicines to avoid taking before the test.
• The allergist or healthcare provider performing the test will ask for a detailed medical history as well as questions about past illnesses, eating habits, lifestyle, work environment, emotional and social conditions, etc. All of this information helps them in determining the cause and prescribed treatment of you allergies.

What You Can Expect After an Allergy Test:

• In cases where your skin is pricked or scratched, you may feel mild discomfort. If you have a "positive reaction" (allergic reaction) to one of the sample allergens used in the test, the area may be itchy for a little while.
• If you are worried about having a severe reaction, bring along some benedryl or other antihistamine to take after the test is completed.
• After it is determined wht allergens you are most sensitive to, you wll be better able to avoid xposure, which in turn will reduce yur dependency on medications to control symptms.

The article When Is Allergy Testing Necessary? was Submitted by Dan Buglio through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Visit My Air Purifier for stright talk and no hype about wht air purifiers and air cleaners wrk best for allergies, asthma, smoke rmoval and more. We specialize in bth commercial and residential air cleaners and prifiers. Get fast, friendly advice from a crtified indoor air quality professional. http://www.my-air-purifier.com

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