Allergy tests are very crucial to undergo if you want to find the
cause of your allergy. These allergy tests help you in finding allergies to
things you touch, eat or breathe in. There are usually skin or blood tests.
However, if you are facing any symptoms of allergy these allergy tests alone
are not enough. It is crucial to have a doctor’s examination done first to help
diagnose allergies.
If later the exam and medical history point to allergies, then one
must undergo the allergy test as they may help find out what you are allergic
to. But if you don’t have any symptoms and you haven’t had a medical exam that
points to an allergy, you should think twice about allergy testing.
Listed below are the reasons why.
· Allergy tests, without proper doctor’s
examination, are usually not reliable
Many drugstores and supermarkets offer free screenings or else
there is always an option of your buying kits to test for allergies yourself at
home. But the results of these tests are the majority of times misleading.
One must undergo skin test or asthma allergy blood
test or both after consulting to the doctor and from a reputed clinic so
that you will be 100% assured about the test result are reliable.
· Unreliable test results can lead to
unnecessary changes in the lifestyle
If you get a test done from drugstore, supermarket or get it done
by yourself at home and the test says you are allergic to some food like eggs,
wheat, soy or milk, you will stop eating those foods. This will result in you
ending up with a poor diet. If the test result says you are allergic to cats or
dogs, you might end up in giving up on your loved pet.
· Inaccurate tests can be a waste of
money
Allergy tests can cost a lot. If you get it done from a drugstore
or supermarket probability you will get inaccurate results resulting in wasting
a lot of money.
When Should You Have Allergy Tests?
If you are facing allergy symptoms, you may get relief from
self-help steps and over the counter drugs. If in case these steps do not help
your symptoms, then it is time for you to see your doctor.
The doctor will ask about your medical history and make sure that
you get the right tests. If your medical history suggests that you have an
allergy, then your doctor might refer you to an allergist
or immunologist for testing.
· Skin tests are the
most common kind of allergy tests. In this test, your skin is pricked with a
needle that has a tiny amount of something you might be allergic to.
· If you have a rash
or take a medicine that could affect the skin test results, then you might
undergo a blood test.
· For chronic hives,
you usually do not require to undergo allergy
test. However, your doctor might suggest you tests to make sure that the
hives are not caused by other conditions, such as a thyroid disorder.
Allergy testing is critical
to making proper avoidance recommendations and in guiding the proper selection
and timing of medications. It might even
let you know that you are not allergic at all! It is advisable not to waste
time guessing what you are allergic to, visit your local allergist and find
out.
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