What is an allergy?

This is a condition when the body responds to a harmless substance in the environment or in a person’s diet as if it were a dangerous invader of the body. When the allergic person comes into contact with a certain substance, the body’s immune system starts to produce antibodies to fight off these “invaders” or allergens. These antibodies alter the way the body reacts and may produce the allergic symptoms. These symptoms may be runny nose, hay fever, asthma, eczema or most severely anaphylactic shock. It is estimated that about 20% of the population is likely to develop some kind of allergy.

How does the doctor test for allergies?

The physician will evaluate the patient’s allergy symptoms and may order a blood test or a skin test. The blood test is called a RAST, which stands for for radioallergosorbent test. This blood test is used to determine an individual’s allergy profile. The individual will go to a laboratory to have their blood drawn. The lab will test the extracted blood in order to detect the amount of IgE that reacts specifically with suspected allergens. IgE is the antibody associated with the allergic response. For example, if a person exhibits a high level of IgE directed against dogs, the test may indicate the person is allergic to dogs. The RAST is intrepreted by a physician and the best course of treament is recommended.

The skin test utilizies intradermal testing technique (“Wrinkle technique”). A small gauge needle is introduced just under the skin and a small amount of the allergen is injected. Wheal and flare reaction is monitored for degree of reactivity which is measured and is used to calculate treatment.

Our physicians test for a variety of allergens including dust, dust mites, grasses, tress, molds, and an assortment of the most common food allergies as well. If you have specific concerns, please discuss this with the physician before testing.

So if I have allergies, how will my allergies be treated?

The allergy technician may offer couseling in regards to avoidance and environmental considerations. The physician may choose to treat the allergies with oral medications, nasal sprays and optic drops. The physican may also recommend immunotherapy. Immunotherapy can be accomplished with weekly or bi-weekly injections or dialy sublingual drops (under the tongue). In either case, the idea behind immunotherapy is to give the patient very small doses of his/her allergens in order to build up the body’s immunity to the allergen by creating blocking antibodies which will prevent an allergic reaction. Over 80% of patients who undergo immunotherapy experience significant improvement and sometimes complete releif of their symptoms. Treatment duration may be variable given patient tolerance, response and persistence of symptoms. The physician will determine if repeat testing is required.

Reference: http://www.aaoaf.org/