How to do an allergy test

The immune system is a system that protects the body against foreign and harmful substances found in the environment and entering the body through the nose, intestines, breathing and skin. In some cases, the immune system’s reactions to foreign and harmful substances may be extreme. This condition is defined as allergy. Although the causes of allergy due to genetic predisposition are not fully known, some allergens are important factors in the formation of the disease. Allergens are divided into five main groups: environmental allergens (house dust mites, mold fungi, pollens, animal allergens), insect allergens, food allergens, drug allergens and occupational allergens.

Allergy Types

Allergy symptoms vary depending on the type of allergy. In general, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, cough, scratchy throat, sneezing, itching and runny nose are symptoms of allergy.

Allergic Rhinitis: Allergic rhinitis, also known as summer flu, spring fever or hay fever, can occur due to pollens, house dust, some nutrients, animal dander and chemicals. Runny nose, sneezing, dry cough, itchy throat, congestion and nasal itching are symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Allergic Asthma: Allergic asthma, which is a genetic predisposition, is a reaction of the lung bronchi to allergens and is among the respiratory allergies. The disease, which has symptoms of chest tightness, shortness of breath and dry cough, is caused by mold fungi, cockroaches, pollen, house dust and animal dander.

Allergic Conjunctivitis: The reaction of the membrane surrounding the white part of the eye, known as the conjunctiva, to allergenic substances is called allergic conjunctivitis. It has symptoms such as watery eyes, burning and itching.

Uritic: Urticaria drug allergies, which manifest themselves with symptoms such as itching and redness; In addition to eggs, tomatoes, nuts, cow’s milk and ready-made food additives, it can also occur due to allergenic substances such as house dust, pollen and insect bites. Food allergies, which are the body’s reaction to proteins contained in foods, cause symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach pain, itching and rash.

Atopic dermatitis: Atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema seen in children between the ages of 6 months and 2 years, can turn into allergic rhinitis and asthma if left untreated.

Anaphylaxis: Swelling and pain in the area where the bee stings are known as bee allergies. This allergy can cause difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness. Anaphylaxis, a dangerous type of allergy, can be fatal.

Allergy Tests

Allergenic substances that cause allergies are determined by blood tests or skin tests.

Prick’s Lyrics: With this allergy test applied to the skin, 20 to 30 types of allergenic substances can be detected. The skin of the patient with allergy problems is scratched. Allergen substances prepared as solutions are dropped onto the scratched skin. The substance that causes redness after approximately 30 minutes is considered an allergen.

Patch Tests: It is a test used to detect allergic substances that cause eczema. Chemical substances are poured onto a tape and this tape is attached to the patient’s back and waited for 2 days. Areas with redness enable the detection of the allergen substance.

Blood test: The rate of IgE antibodies in the blood is measured by blood test, which is the most effective test among allergy test types. In allergic patients, this rate is 10 times higher than in normal people.