Thousands of people suffer from various types of allergies. Symptoms are sometimes very similar, and identifying the source of the stimulus is a daunting task. In medicine, and more specifically in allergology, the method of skin allergy testing, or, as it is also called differently, the method of skin tests to detect allergies, has become widespread.
What is this ailment?
The word "allergy" from the Greek language is translated as "another action." Pathology is the body's response to an allergen or irritant upon contact. In this case, the reaction can manifest itself with various rashes, suffocation, itching, swelling, etc.
Allergens are substances that cause irritation. All of them are divided into two types - endogenous and exogenous. Each of them, in turn, is also divided into several groups.
Endogenous allergens are proteins that are inside a person initially, which is the norm for the body itself. They can be acquired and own.
Exogenous allergens are the type of irritant that appears from the outside, that is, directly from the environment. In turn, they are divided into infectious and non-infectious.
general characteristics
A skin allergy test is a simple and quick way to detect an allergen and diagnose allergies as a disease. The number of people suffering from allergies of all kinds is constantly growing. The risk group includes children, as well as adults, who prefer an unbalanced diet and a passive lifestyle, and individuals with a weak immune system.
It is very difficult to independently know and recognize the source of allergies, therefore, if the first signs occur, you should contact a highly qualified specialist who, through special tests and skin-allergic tests, will identify the allergen.
Samples must be performed during remission, that is, at a time when the allergy does not manifest itself. Allergy tests are divided into categories:
- Quantitative and qualitative.
- Indirect and direct.
Appointment
The method of skin-allergic tests is very effective, it is prescribed when the following symptoms appear in a healthy person:
- Conjunctivitis or rhinitis of an allergic form, which are characterized by profuse tearing and redness of the eyes, accompanied by pain.
- Redness on the skin or rashes on it.
- Asthma, heavy labored breathing.
- Allergic dermatitis, itching.
- Runny nose, sneezing, etc. seasonally.
- Allergic reactions to certain drugs.
The doctor should be consulted when the first symptoms are manifested, since the outcome for various types of allergies is completely different, and sometimes tragic. The heavier the form of allergy itself, the more dangerous its consequences. Deaths are rare, but likely.
Kinds
There are not many ways to determine the allergen: samples that are directly on the skin of the patient, and the detection of antibodies in a blood test. Methods of skin-allergic tests are divided into:
- Prik tests - a drop of irritant is introduced under the thin upper layer of the skin by scratching the skin tissue with special needles.
- Scarification test - using a special device (scarifier), allergen particles are introduced under the skin of the forearm.
- Injections under the skin.
- An application test is the only type of test in which skin damage does not occur.
Important! Do not enter more than 15 allergens at the same time!
Of the four types of samples, the latter stands out strongly, since the technique for setting up a skin-allergic sample of this particular type is completely different. The analysis is as follows: the swab is moistened in an allergen solution and applied to sensitive areas of the skin. The effect, in the presence of allergies, is not long in coming. You can evaluate the reaction in the next twenty minutes. Only in some cases it is necessary to wait from 1.5 to 2 days.
The remaining species are similar by the method of their implementation. Their technique for staging skin-allergic samples involves damage to the epidermis. You can evaluate the results after 15-20 minutes.
The technique of skin-allergic tests, subject to the introduction of an irritant under the skin, is more informative. There is a possibility of a sharp deterioration in the patient's well-being immediately during the introduction of the allergen. Even anaphylactic shock can occur. However, the procedure is carried out by a doctor professionally, which means that he is guaranteed to normalize the patient's condition.
The last type is injectable. When staging a skin-allergic test, the algorithm is as follows - it is necessary to extract serum from the blood of a sick person and introduce it into a healthy body. The reaction of the recipient will not take long to wait if antibodies are present in his blood. This will help to evaluate the result of a skin-allergic test in the shortest possible time. In this process, there is a high risk of transferring serious and incurable diseases, so it is extremely rare to resort to this type of diagnosis.
Contraindications
Regardless of the type of test being carried out, there are a number of factors under which categorically it is impossible to carry out such procedures. They are also taken into account by specialists before conducting tests.
- All skin and allergic tests are performed starting from 6 years. Before this age, the child is too vulnerable to the allergen. For children under the due date, other types of diagnostics have been worked out.
- Patients of the older generation. At the age of more than 60 years, no samples are taken.
- Throughout the duration of pregnancy in women.
- In parallel with the use of hormonal drugs.
- While breastfeeding.
- In the presence of any chronic disease.
Preparation for the procedure
First of all, it is important to set the time. When did the last reaction to the allergen occur? To do this, for a long period (sometimes, more than a month), the doctor observes the patient in order to understand the systematic reactions. So, its last manifestation should be in the interval of at least 30 days.
Moreover, you always need to be prepared for a shock response of the body to the administered drug. Therefore, such studies should be carried out exclusively in specially trained medical institutions, such as dispensaries, clinics and specialized medical centers.
Preliminary inspection
In addition to the basic preparation, during which chronic diseases and the frequency of the reactions themselves are identified, an important step for the procedure is the first steps to it, that is, a preliminary examination of the patient. At this stage, the patient passes urine and blood tests, as well as a coprogram.
Another significant factor for the procedure is the exclusion of all medications for 10 days, since their effect may adversely affect the analysis. Antihistamines are included in a special and most important category, as they are aimed at damping and dulling the body's response to foreign bodies
results
If after the procedure there are no changes on the skin, the result is considered negative.
When small tumors or redness of the skin occur, the result is considered positive. Depending on the degree of response of the body to the allergen, the size of the irritation varies: the larger its size, the sharper the allergen is taken by the body. Also, the results can be dubious and weakly positive.
Adverse reactions
Skin-allergic tests provide a negative reaction of the body. The patient is likely to have itching, swelling, various blisters and redness on the skin. Such reactions are expected, but sometimes these symptoms continue to manifest themselves up to 10 days.
In order to alleviate these symptoms, the patient is prescribed the use of ointments that include cortisone in their composition. In medical practice, there are cases when the patient needed urgent hospitalization. However, the percentage of such cases is extremely small.
Preventive actions
Even after successfully conducted skin-allergic tests, as well as after eliminating the ailment, it is very important to correctly treat your body and immune system. It is important to follow a number of rules that will help protect against the manifestations of allergies:
- Keep residential premises clean, for this it is necessary to carry out wet cleaning 2 times a week.
- If you are allergic to an animal or plant, you should protect yourself from contact with it.
- Do not consume foods containing preservatives. Eat balanced.
- Acquire antibacterial as well as hypoallergenic personal care products.
A number of these rules are extremely simple, but their effectiveness should be noted.
Conclusion
According to the latest statistics, only 70% of all manifestations of allergies were associated with taking medications, deaths were 0.005%. The remaining 30% of people prone to allergic reactions are owners of milder forms of its manifestation, and cases of death are not systematized.
Unfortunately, it is completely impossible to cure an allergy. However, skin-allergic tests will help to accurately identify the type of allergen to protect a person from further contact with him.