How to Test for Airborne Allergies

If you have airborne allergies, such as pollen, you may need to have an allergy test to detect what you are specifically allergic to. Allergy testing can determine if your airborne allergies are from grass or tree pollen, animal dander, dust mite allergens, cockroach allergens, mold spores or any number of other airborne allergens. Along with your medical history, the results of airborne allergy testing can confirm that your symptoms are the result of airborne allergies. Once your airborne allergies are detected, your doctor can prescribe a treatment to relieve your allergy symptoms. Below are some testing options you can consider.

Instructions

• 1

  Get an airborne allergy skin prick test. This is the most common skin test used to detect airborne allergies. Your allergist will prick areas on either your arm or your back, and he will note numbers on the areas being pricked that represent a specific airborne allergen like pollen or cat dander. He will then place drops of each airborne allergen on your skin and gently prick or scratch the skin under the droplets, letting some of the allergens in. If you are allergic to a specific airborne allergy, you will develop a red, raised bump within 15 to 30 minutes. These bumps may itch a bit, and will look like a mosquito bite. They usually disappear quickly. You can get the results immediately after this test. Most allergists consider airborne allergy skin prick tests to be more reliable and convenient than blood tests.

• 2

  Get an intradermal skin test. Another method of testing for airborne allergies is the intradermal skin test. Your doctor may do this test after a skin test that is inconclusive; the intradermal test method is more sensitive than the skin prick test. A small amount of the suspect airborne allergen is injected under the top layer of your skin. As with the skin prick test, you will be given your results immediately. Positive reactions should appear within 15 to 30 minutes. However, delayed reactions can occur several hours after the test but will disappear within 24 to 48 hours. Be sure to let your allergist know if this occurs.

• 3

  Get a blood test. Airborne allergy blood tests (also called RAST or ELIZA tests) are used when a skin test is not an option. Blood tests typically cost more and can take several days for results to be sent back.