An allergy test is an examination procedure that aims to detect whether the patient's body has an allergic reaction to certain substances or substances (allergens). Allergy tests can be done in the form of blood tests or skin tests. This examination procedure is generally performed by an allergic consultant doctor.
Allergies occur when the immune system produces excessive reactions to allergens found in the surrounding environment. Allergic reactions produced by the body vary, ranging from mild symptoms to anaphylactic reactions that can be life-threatening. Mild allergic reactions that generally occur, including sneezing, nasal congestion, itching, and runny eyes and nose.
Types of Substances Causing Allergies (Allergens)
Allergens are substances, substances, or ingredients that cause allergies. Generally, there are three types of allergens, namely:
Inhaled allergens. Allergens can trigger an allergic reaction in the body when inhaled and interact with the lining of the nose, throat, or lungs. Allergens belonging to inhaled allergens include pollen, dust, and animal hair.
Contact allergens. Allergens that can trigger an allergic reaction in the body when interacting with the skin. Insect stings and chemicals, such as latex, are examples of contact allergens.
Gastrointestinal allergens. These types of allergens are commonly found in foods, such as beans, seafood, or soybeans. In addition to food, drugs such as penicillin antibiotics are also included in gastrointestinal allergens.
Before the patient undergoes an allergy test, the doctor will examine the patient's medical history. At this stage, the doctor will ask for a history of complaints, questions regarding lifestyle and daily activities, and family health history, especially allergy history. After that, the doctor will do a physical examination to look for additional instructions regarding signs of allergies.
Your doctor may also recommend stopping certain medications for 10 days before an allergy test is done. These types of drugs include:
- Antihistamine drugs.
- Ulcer drugs, such as cimetidine and ranitidine.
- Omalizumab asthma drug.
- Tricyclic antidepressant drugs, such as amitriptyline.
Blood allergy testing is generally done if the patient is feared to experience a severe allergic reaction to an allergy test through the skin. Blood allergy testing is done by checking immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the blood. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is an antibody produced by the immune system to fight substances that are considered a threat to the body. When the body experiences an allergic reaction, the amount of IgE will increase. The measured IgE can be the sum of all IgE antibodies in the body (total IgE test) or IgE antibody response levels to an allergen (specific IgE test). Blood allergy testing begins with taking a blood sample, then the blood sample will be checked into the laboratory for analysis.
The procedure for blood allergy testing generally takes less than 5 minutes, but takes several days until the test results come out.