There are various options if you realize you have an allergy. It may be as simple as eliminating that food from your diet if you have a food allergy. Other allergies necessitate therapy. In some circumstances, your San Antonio allergy testing doctor may recommend antihistamines or corticosteroids. Immunotherapy, often known as allergy injections, is another therapeutic option. You will be given injections containing little quantities of the allergen during immunotherapy so that your body can gradually build up immunity. Your doctor may prescribe emergency epinephrine for those with life-threatening allergies. There are also a variety of home treatments that might help avoid or minimize allergy symptoms. Some home treatments include air filters and saline nasal or sinus rinses.

What is a skin prick test?

The skin prick test is the most popular procedure used by clinicians to determine probable allergy reasons. It is easy, cheap, and rapid and can test for a wide spectrum of allergies. This strategy is beneficial when the anticipated allergen, such as hay fever or a food allergy, causes an acute reaction. The doctor will apply a series of potential allergens on the patient’s forearm, leaving enough space between each sample to avoid overlap. They will next create a tiny puncture in the center of each sample to allow the allergen to penetrate the skin’s outer layer. If there is an allergic reaction, the skin may become red and swollen, resulting in a hive or wheal in the afflicted region. The doctor will use a medical checkup and information about a person’s history and geographic surroundings to choose allergen specimens for the skin prick test.

When to perform allergy testing in children

Allergies are prevalent in infants and kids and can disrupt sleep, school attendance, food, and general health. Allergy testing is necessary for your child’s safety if they respond incorrectly to particular foods. You may have your child tested at any age; however, skin tests are usually not performed on children under six months. In highly young children, allergy testing may be less reliable. If your kid has an allergy or cold-like symptoms that do not go away after a few weeks, see your clinician about the likelihood of allergies and if allergy testing is necessary.

The risks of allergy testing

Allergy tests may cause moderate skin irritation, redness, and edema. Wheals are tiny pimples that occur on the skin from time to time. These indications typically go away within a few hours, although they might persist for a few days. These symptoms can be relieved with mild topical steroid creams. Furthermore, allergy testing should be performed in a doctor’s office with proper drugs and equipment, including epinephrine used to treat anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal acute allergic reaction. If you have a severe response after leaving the local clinic, call your doctor immediately.

Allergic responses arise when the immune system misinterprets safe chemicals as harmful. Allergies can create unpleasant symptoms such as sneezing and hives, but the symptoms might be more severe depending on the reaction. There are numerous techniques for identifying and treating allergies, but seeking expert assistance for diagnosis and treatment is preferable. Call Castle Hills Family Practice or book your consultation online to learn more about allergy testing.