Currently, a significant part of people suffer from such a common ailment as allergies. However, not everyone knows what this pathology is, so they will not be interested to know that this is a protective reaction of the body, which is aimed at neutralizing the activity of harmful bacteria and viruses, as well as minimizing the risks of other harmful factors. The immune system identifies the source of the disease by a DNA strand. At the same time, it can sometimes fail, as a result of which harmless substances are accepted as pathogenic bacteria. All this is accompanied by a violent reaction from the immune system. This is the meaning of allergies.
In a standard situation in a person suffering from allergies, in case of exacerbation, a protective reaction manifests itself in the form of inflammation of the skin, bronchi, intestines and other organs.
It should be noted that the source of the aforementioned ailment is the components of protein origin - allergens. First of all, they include: food, plant pollen, animal hair, cosmetics, household chemicals and more.
Allergen
To accurately diagnose the source of an allergic reaction, patients take drugs based on epidermal microparticles and animal hair, plant pollen, and food components. The duration of the allergy test depends on the specific type of drug. This may take several hours or several days.
Allergy Test Technology
Assigning such a procedure as allergy tests, the specialist preliminary analyzes the data on the specifics of the pathology and determines an indicative group of allergens. Separate testing methods using irritant products give positive results.
Such preparations are applied to small scratches that are done in advance in the wrist area. In some cases, doctors give a subcutaneous injection.
Often, various irritants are needed to conduct a test for an allergy of the same type, while the degree of their concentration in the drug can be different. Signs such as swelling, rashes and redness on the patient’s skin are subsequently studied by the doctor, after which he makes the final diagnosis.
Blood analysis
When testing for allergies, specialists almost always perform a blood test. What is it done for? To find out what antibodies are in the patient’s body. Such a study helps to determine the type of allergic reaction. It should be noted that a blood test as a procedure does not entail any contraindications for the patient.
Skin tests
To diagnose the pathology in question, doctors very often use skin tests for allergies, which are classified into direct and indirect. Let's consider them in more detail.
With direct samples, allergens are applied to micro-scratches that are made on the patient's skin. As a rule, about twenty samples are performed per procedure. The skin reaction in this case is an indicator of what is the source of irritation. The procedure takes a fairly long time (more than 24 hours). If a patient develops redness, swelling or exfoliation in the studied area of the skin, this is a sign that a person has a pronounced allergic reaction.
Often, experts conduct an indirect test. What is the meaning of this procedure? The patient is injected subcutaneously with an irritant substance, after which the patient receives blood serum, which determines one or another type of allergy. This procedure allows specialists to determine the degree of danger of a particular type of allergy to humans.
Many are interested in the question of where to make allergy tests. This procedure is carried out by an allergist, an appointment to which you can make an appointment at the clinic at the place of your registration.
Provocative test
There is also another type of analysis by which an allergic reaction is detected, the so-called provocative test. This study is carried out if there are discrepancies in the indicators of a dermatological test and data on the development of allergies.
A provocative test is divided into nasal, conjunctival variations, if we are talking about such a pathology as allergic rhinitis. In this case, inhalations are introduced into the nose and eyes. With asthma, the patient is prescribed inhalation tests.
Allergy tests in children
It should be noted that samples are recommended for children in the same way as adults. However, you should not forget about age restrictions here. In particular, direct and indirect variations of skin tests should not be done if the child is under 3 years old. The provocative form of allergic tests also falls under the ban. Most experts are convinced that if an allergy is natural in nature and is not accompanied by complications, then children under 5 years of age should not carry out the above procedure, since the child’s body can easily change the reaction to the allergen.
Specificity of the test
It must be emphasized that in the case of an exacerbation of the pathology in question, an allergen test should be carried out no earlier than one month from the moment it begins. Once again, we note that it is best to take samples for allergies in a specialized medical center. Why?
If a complication occurs and the disease begins to progress, qualified doctors can always come to the rescue. However, the patient may experience any reaction.
Medical history
A complete picture of the pathology under consideration will help draw up a diary and a medical history. In particular, they make it possible to determine when, an allergic reaction arose for the first time, what factors of the natural environment influenced its formation or termination, how the patient feels when the situation changes. Also, through a medical history and an allergy test, children can find out what was the main cause of the symptoms. As a rule, these are excessive physical exertion, depression.
It must be remembered that the speed and effectiveness of treatment depends only on the correctness of the diagnosis.