What to Expect from an Allergy Test

Have you ever wondered what an allergy test is like? Are you scared that the doctor might inject you several times? Are you frightened that the allergy might never go away? Doctors usually make sure that patients feel comfortable when they come for allergy tests. They prepare a file in which they note down the substances that stimulate an allergic reaction and therefore prepare a room accordingly.

The tests take time according to the intensity of the allergic reaction. Some tests last for just 20 minutes while other can last for an hour. This happens because different allergic reactions are detected differently. Some can be delayed reactions while others occur almost immediately.

Here are a few things you can expect when going for an allergy test:

1.    Wi-Fi and Snacks

The rooms that you are given are equipped with Wi-Fi so that you do not feel left out of the world. Hospitals know of the importance of Wi-Fi nowadays and that is the reason they’ve installed it all around the vicinity. Secondly, you will have all the different snacks available so you can eat whatever you want.

2.    Numbing Cream

Doctors will apply numbing cream on their patients if the reaction is related to the skin. Most reactions cause rashes and the skin turns red from itching. The numbing cream will stop the pain as well as the itching altogether so that the doctor can continue his tests. No doctor likes it when their patient continues to twitch.

3.    Skin Prick Testing

This test is used by the doctor to identify what kind of substance the patient is allergic to. The test involves a needle that is inserted slightly into the skin. As many as 40 substances can be checked through this kind of testing to see what the patient is allergic to so that proper medication can be given. The nurse will wait for 15 minutes after pricking the skin to see if there are any allergic reactions detected. This is a great way to find out how allergens may affect you so that you can take precautionary measures back home.

4.    Skin Injection Testing

As the name goes, the nurse will insert an injection and then release tiny amounts of allergens into your body. The area where the patient received the injection is then observed to see if there are any red rashes or any other kind of allergic reaction. The doctor then recommends the relevant treatment once the signs are clear.

5.    Patch Testing

This kind of testing is usually done to out what allergen causes a delayed reaction in your body. There is no skin penetration involved. Instead, the nurse applies patches that mixed in allergens to see if the patient reacts to any of them. The patch has to be applied for 48 hours after which it is removed and only the patch area is observed for any allergic reactions. This is recommended for people who have needle phobia.

Call our offices at 212-319-5282 to schedule an appointment.