If you are being tested for allergies, you might be poked and prodded a lot. You might wonder why the allergist is poking you with so many needles. There are several ways in which the allergist will inject allergens into your body to test for an allergic reaction so they can then help offer you the best possible treatment option.

Why Allergy Testing is Necessary

The purpose of allergy testing is to determine if your immune system reacts to certain substances. You can be allergic to a variety of things and you will need to undergo allergy tests to narrow down the list of potential substances you are allergic to. Then, you can avoid them or take the appropriate medications. 

Allergies Can Be Dangerous

It's especially important to have tests performed to make sure that you don't have an allergic reaction that can lead to anaphylaxis. This condition is potentially life-threatening because it can lead to difficulty breathing and a sharp drop in blood pressure. 

Warning Signs That You Need Allergy Testing

You might suspect that you need an allergy test performed if you are suffering from one of several symptoms and there is no clear cause. You might be suffering from persistent headaches, nasal congestion, a sore throat, shortness of breath, or watery eyes. After reporting these symptoms, your doctor might recommend you to an allergy-testing naturopath.

The Prick Test

The prick test is usually the first test used to determine if you will have an allergic reaction. This involves poking you with multiple prongs simultaneously. This test doesn't use needles, isn't supposed to be painful, and should not cause any bleeding. However, you might experience a slight scratching sensation such as if you were being scrubbed with a hairbrush.

If you have a positive response, you should experience redness and itching. This is because allergens are being injected in small amounts into your skin. With the skin prick test, your allergist might be able to narrow down the allergens you might have.

Intradermal Tests

In some cases, a skin prick test ends up being negative and your allergist will need to perform an intradermal test instead. In this case, the allergen is inserted under your skin using a needle. 

The Patch Test

Another approach is to apply a patch that you will wear for several days. You will then return and the allergist will check to determine if a rash has formed. With each of these tests, your allergist can effectively rule out various allergens.