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What are blood allergy tests? When should they be carried out? Is the blood allergy test as accurate as the traditional ones? What are the indications for its performance? What requirements must be met? The question is answered by the drug. Anna Mitschke.
What are the indications for conducting allergy blood tests?
Hello. I have a few questions about allergy blood tests. For a long time, it seems to me that I have problems with allergies. I do not know exactly what the causes of these problems are, because my allergy activates irregularly. Sometimes it appears after eating (I tried to guess what ingredient it was, but I failed), sometimes at certain times of the year. In the end, I decided to perform allergy tests, but I wonder what type of test to choose and what is the most accurate.
Therefore, I would like to ask when to perform blood allergy tests? I learned some time ago that blood allergy tests are performed in certain cases, especially when other types of tests are not recommended. Is it true? Is this blood allergy test as accurate as the others and what are the indications for trying to detect an allergy in this way? And if I do not meet certain requirements, can I not do a blood allergy test? Thank you in advance for clarifying doubts.
The doctor advises when it is worth taking an allergy blood test
An allergy is an abnormal reaction of the body to an antigen, usually harmless to healthy people. In contact with the allergen, the immune system of an allergic person produces antibodies to defend itself. Many cells of the immune system and the substances they produce are involved in the defense response. Often the allergy is caused by inhaled allergens, e.g. pollen of grasses, trees. Symptoms occur seasonally during the pollen season. Symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose and eyes, watery eyes and red eyes.
Allergy may occur after eating foods, e.g. nuts, seafood. It may be manifested by shortness of breath, itching, swelling in the mouth, or the appearance of a rash. hives. We are sensitized by allergens contained in animal organisms, e.g. dog, cat, bee venom. Occasionally, an allergic reaction can lead to an anaphylactic shock which can be life-threatening.
The most common diagnostic methods are point skin tests. A drop of the allergen is placed on the skin, most often of the subject’s forearm, and then the skin is gently damaged with a knife. In the event of an allergic reaction, erythema and wheal occurs in the examined area. The test is relatively safe as it rarely causes a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction.
If the results of skin prick tests are unreliable, the concentration of specific antibodies in blood serum is measured. Skin prick tests are more sensitive than the examination of specific IgE antibodies in the blood serum. In other words, with skin prick tests, allergy is more often detected. A carefully collected interview from the patient plays an important role in the diagnosis of allergy.
Information such as the repeatability of certain symptoms in specific situations, the seasonality of the symptoms will help guide the doctor to the cause of the allergy. Additionally, it is important to examine the patient to obtain a complete clinical picture. If symptoms persist, please see your GP, who will refer you to an allergy specialist if necessary.
— Lek. Anna Mitchke
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