How to Get Tested for Allergies

Are you constantly sneezing or sniffling, or do you suffer from other chronic respiratory issues? Are bug bites causing your skin to swell? Do certain foods always give you gastrointestinal upset? If so, then you may be one of many who suffers from allergies. Allergies occur when you produce antibodies to foreign particles entering your body, resulting in the release of histamine. Everything from pollen to dust, mold to pet dander, insect stings to certain types of foods can cause an allergic reaction in susceptible people. Luckily, allergy tests can help identify which allergens are causing the problems, so you can develop an effective treatment plan.

Things You'll Need

• Primary care physician
• Allergist/Immunologist

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Instructions

• 1

  Talk to your primary care physician. Depending on your insurance, you may need a referral to an allergist/immunologist, and your family physician can help you find one. Immunologists specialize in allergy testing.

• 2

  Keep a log of your allergy symptoms, so the doctor has a good idea of which allergens may be the culprit. Respiratory symptoms include itchy eyes, runny nose and congestion. Skin symptoms include hives, general itchiness and localized reactions to insect bites. Consistent abdominal cramping and gas after eating can also be associated with specific food allergies.

• 3

  Visit your allergist and get tested. The most common type of testing for allergies are skin tests, including the prick test, where a drop of allergen is inserted into the skin, and the intradermal test, where the allergen is injected under the skin. The results from these tests are available in under 30 minutes. For people with special issues, like skin conditions, or for small children, sometimes a blood (RAST) test is performed instead. This test is more expensive and the results usually take days.

• 4

  Go over the test results with your allergist. Many common allergies can be addressed by making small lifestyle changes and/or through the periodic use of over-the-counter medications. With more severe allergies, your allergist may recommend a series of allergy shots to desensitize you to the allergen.