Allergy Testing
ONE REACTION AT A TIME
Overview
An allergy is a hypersensitivity disorder of the immune system. Allergic reactions occur when a person’s immune system reacts to normally harmless substances in the environment. A substance that causes a reaction is called an allergen. These reactions are acquired, predictable, and rapid.
Allergies are one of four forms of hypersensitivity and is formally called type I (or immediate) hypersensitivity. Allergic reactions are distinctive because of excessive activation of certain white blood cells called mast cells and basophils produced by a type of antibody called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). This reaction results in an inflammatory response which can range from uncomfortable to dangerous.
Allergies are a major contributor of sick days and decreased efficiency at work. More than this it decreases quality of life significantly for both adults and children making it difficult to enjoy spending time outdoors or with family and friends and hurts school performance.
What are the signs of allergies?
Allergy symptoms, which depend on the substance involved, can affect your airways, sinuses and nasal passages, skin, and digestive system. Allergic reactions can range from mild to severe. In some severe cases, allergies can trigger a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.
Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, can cause:
Sneezing
Itching of the nose, eyes or roof of the mouth
Runny, stuffy nose
Watery, red or swollen eyes (conjunctivitis)
A food allergy can cause:
Tingling in the mouth
Swelling of the lips, tongue, face or throat
Hives
Anaphylaxis
An insect sting allergy can cause:
A large area of swelling (edema) at the sting site
Itching or hives all over the body
Cough, chest tightness, wheezing or shortness of breath
Anaphylaxis
A drug allergy can cause:
Hives
Itchy skin
Rash
Facial swelling
Wheezing
Anaphylaxis
Atopic dermatitis, an allergic skin condition also called eczema, can cause skin to:
Itch
Redden
Flake or peel
AllergiEnd® Skin Test
Allergy testing is quick and comes in many forms. At ENT Family we offer a brand new, state-of-the-art, and minimally invasive skin prick testing called AllergiEnd®. Test applicators are placed on the forearms of a patient during a routine physical examination.
Skin tests have evolved as reliable, cost effective techniques for the identification of Immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated diseases. The technique, originally involving the placement of an allergen on abraded skin began in 1867, has now progressed to the utilization of technology to administer a known amount of allergen via percutaneous (on the skin) scratch.
This allows the clinician to confirm clinical sensitivity to a range of food and environmental allergens, such as pollens, weeds, grasses, trees, animal dander, molds and many foods.
The test is FDA-cleared, easy-to-administer, needle-free, includes a broad spectrum of environmental allergens, and is designed for administration in primary care settings, with results in just 15-20 minutes.
