Allergy testing is done to identify the substance that triggers an allergic reaction in a patient. Generally speaking, they can be either skin tests or blood tests. Doctors often prefer to use skin tests because they are quicker and usually more convenient than blood tests. Skin tests are also more effective at identifying allergies caused by airborne substances like mold, pollen or pet dander.
Types of Skin Tests
There are different types of skin tests and they all involve putting a suspected allergen on or just under the skin and waiting to see if the patient develops a reaction. You should be happy to learn that at Pinnacle Dermatology, we do not use any needles in our allergy testing.
Skin patch tests are used if the patient is believed to have contact dermatitis. The medical professional will place a solution containing an allergen on a pad and tape it to the patient’s body. The patient will have to wear the pad for a set amount of time. After the medical professional removes the patches, the patient will be examined for signs of allergic reactions.
It is important to note that we do not test for food allergies at Pinnacle Dermatology. We do, however, test for many other things, such as allergies to certain cosmetics, jewelry, nail polishes and many other items.
The Many Benefits of Allergy Testing
Allergy testing is a great way to protect your overall health and prevent anything bad from happening that could have been dealt with before it even happened. For example, once you know that you are allergic to nickel, you can avoid wearing jewelry that contains nickel, thus, preventing you from dealing with the uncomfortable symptoms that are associated with nickel allergies.
Similarly, once you and our team know what you are allergic to, we can come up with customized treatments that aim to improve your quality of life. Common treatments include oral and/or topical medications and injectable treatments.
If you suspect that you are allergic to something, or if you simply want to be proactive when it comes to your overall health, make an appointment for allergy testing at Pinnacle Dermatology in Birmingham. This could save you a whole lot of trouble and discomfort in the long-run. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and get started!
