If you have a seasonal allergy problem, then you may want to identify the various types of pollens that you are allergic to. This can help you and your allergist to come up with a treatment plan that works best for you. An allergy skin test is the most common form of identification. The testing does have some pros and cons, so keep reading to learn what they are.

Pros Of Skin Testing

One of the benefits of going through allergy skin testing is the fact that the results can be seen immediately, and you will be provided with a list of the trees, grasses, weeds, and other plants that you are allergic to. In addition to this list, your allergist will inform you of the degree of the allergy. Basically, if you notice a large reaction on your skin that corresponds to the histamine placed on your body, then this is considered a serious allergy. Smaller red circles are less serious ones, and if there is no reaction, then you are not allergic to the substance.

Identifying the degree of the allergy is not something that is possible with blood tests. These tests simply indicate if your body has created antibodies to a substance or not, showing that you are or are not allergic to it. However, even if an antibody is present, it does not mean that the allergy is serious enough to produce symptoms, so you may end up avoiding animals and plants that do not even make you ill.

Skin testing is also less expensive than blood tests, especially if your allergist wants to identify a dozen or more types of antibodies. 

Cons Of Skin Testing

While skin testing is safe, complications can develop. The most common involves the systematic allergic reaction to one of the substances placed on the skin, and this can lead to anaphylaxis. 

Also, some people find the testing uncomfortable. After all, your skin will be lightly scraped, and allergens are placed on your arms. This often leads to an intense itchy feeling, but you will be unable to move as the test is completed. Unfortunately, you cannot take antihistamines for 24 hours before the testing, so you will have to deal with the discomfort for a short period of time.

Skin testing can produce some false positive results too, and your body may react quite strongly to the allergens even though you may not actually be very allergic to them. 

If you want to know more about allergy testing, speak with your local allergy specialist. 

Share