Often, the symptoms of allergies develop gradually over a period of time. Allergy sufferers may become so accustomed to chronic symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, or wheezing, that they do not consider their symptoms to be unusual. Yet, with the help of an allergist, these symptoms can usually be prevented or controlled and quality of life greatly improved. The skin test is a method of measuring the patient's level of IgE antibodies to specific allergens. Using diluted solutions of specific allergens, the physician either injects the patient with the solutions, or applies them to a small scratch or puncture.
Reaction appears as a small red area on the skin.
A reaction to the skin test does not always mean that the patient is allergic to the allergen that caused the reaction. The blood test is used to measure the patient's level of IgE antibodies to specific allergens. Us Copyright 1999 Sentara Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Please read our disclaimer .