HealthWise KnowledgeBase
Allergy Tests
Why It Is Done
Allergy testing is done to find out what substances (allergens) cause an allergic reaction.
Skin test
The skin prick test can also be done to:
- Identify inhaled (airborne) allergens, such as tree, shrub, and weed pollens, molds, dust, feathers, and pet dander.
- Identify likely food allergens (such as eggs, milk, peanuts, nuts, fish, soy, wheat, or shellfish).
- Determine whether a person may be allergic to a Reference medicine or insect venom.
Blood test
A blood test on a blood sample may be done instead of a skin prick test if a person:
- Has Reference hives Opens New Window or another skin condition, such as Reference eczema Opens New Window, that makes it hard to see the results of skin testing.
- Cannot stop taking a medicine, such as an Reference antihistamine Opens New Window or tricyclic antidepressant, that may prevent or reduce a reaction to a substance even when a person is allergic to the substance.
- Has had a severe allergic reaction (Reference anaphylaxis Opens New Window).
- Has had positive skin tests to many foods. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) can find out the foods that a person is most allergic to.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference June 30, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Rohit K Katial, MD - Allergy and Immunology |
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