Allergy testing types

Allergy tests can help you determine the cause of the allergy. But this test can only be used when it has done a thorough interview regarding the incidence of allergies in your child. Here are some types of tests to determine allergies.

Allergy testing types

Skin prick tests (Skin Prick Test)
Point: check allergic to inhaled allergens (dust, mites, pollen) and food allergens (milk, shrimp, crab), up to 33 types of allergens or more.
procedure:
To undergo this test, a minimum of 3 years of age and in good health and he is not new to take medicine that contains an antihistamine (anti-allergic) within 3-7 days (depending on the type of medicine).
Tests performed on the forearm skin in the side. Skin given a special tool called allergen extracts are placed on the skin in a way shed. Allergen extracts in the form of natural materials, such as various types of food, even pollen.
Do not use a regular syringe, but uses a special needle, so it does not bleed or injury, and is not painful.
The test results are known within 15 minutes. When positively allergic to certain allergens, there will be an itchy red bumps on the skin.
This test must be performed by a doctor who truly experts in the field of allergy-immunology because of the technique and interpretation (read the test results) is more difficult than other tests.
Test Patch (Patch Test)
Point: knowing which caused contact allergy to chemicals, for example in cases of dermatitis or eczema.
procedure:
Performed in children aged at least 3 years.
Two days before the test, the child should not do activities that sweating or bathing. His back was not to be exposed to friction and should be free of ointment, cream or ointment.
Tests will be carried out in the back skin. How, by putting chemicals in a particular place (finn chamber) and then placed on the child's back. During the tests (48 hours), the child should not be too active.
The test results obtained after 48 hours. When positively allergic to certain chemicals, in the back skin will emerge reddish spots or warpage.
Test RAST (Radio Allergo Sorbent Test)
Point: knowing allergic to inhaled allergens and food allergens.
procedure:
Can be done at any age children and not using drugs.
In this test, a blood serum sample of children will be taken as much as 2 cc, and then processed with special computerized machines. The result is known after 4 hours.
Intracutaneous skin tests
The point: to know the allergy to the drug is injected.
procedure:
Performed in children aged at least 3 years.
Tests performed on the forearm skin by injecting the drug to be tested in the lower layers of the skin.
Test results can be read after 15 minutes. If positive, there will be bumps, red and itchy.
Provocation tests and elimination of food
Point: knowing allergic to certain foods.
procedure:
Can be done at any age child.
Diagnosis of food allergy are based on clinical diagnosis, the history or the history of the child and a careful examination of family history, history of feeding and signs and symptoms of food allergies since childhood.
Furthermore, to ensure food allergens, use the method provocation Food In Blind (Double Blind Placebo Control Food Challenge or DBPCFC), which is the gold standard. However, because of the way this DBPCFC complicated and takes charge and not a little time, some children are allergic service centers modification to this method. One of them, by doing a "provocation Elimination Open Simple Food". The trick: the child's daily diet, do elimination (avoid) some food allergens for 2-3 weeks. After that, if there are no complaints of allergies, then continued with suspected food provocation. Furthermore, the first provocation diet food in one week and if symptoms are recorded. Referred to as allergen provocation 3 times when the symptoms. No need to fear children will be malnourished, because in addition to elimination diets are temporary, the child can be dispensed substitute foods that have similar nutritional content.
Drug provocation tests
Point: knowing allergic to drugs taken.
procedure:
Can be done at any age child.
The method used is DBPC (Double Blind Placebo Control) or a double-blind test. The trick, of patients taking the drug at a dose increased gradually, then awaited the reaction at intervals of 15-30 minutes.
In one day, only one drug should be tested. If necessary followed by another drug test, the distance is at least one week, depending on type of drug.