Allergy is a disorder which is most common to human beings. Some common symptoms of allergy are sneezing, running nose, red eyes; itching etc. allergy is caused by substances known as allergens. Diagnosis of allergy begins with the identification of allergens.
In the first session the doctor ask the patients various questions related to the cause of the disease. These questions vary from medical history to dietary habits. Then a series of tests are done in order to know what the allergens are. These tests include various skin tests, blood tests, elimination tests, spirometry, double blind food challenge etc.
Skin tests are further divided into three tests: Patch test, Prick method and intra dermal test. In a patch test various types of allergens are kept on skin and covered with patches and if the person is allergic to any allergen the skin under that patch will show irritation. In Prick test small drop of allergic substance is put on patient’s back and pricked with a needle. Irritation occurs if person is allergic.
Blood tests are used to test eczema and related skin allergies. If these tests do not show any effect then elimination tests, spirometry and double blind food challenge are performed to determine allergen. Once the allergen is determined rest of the treatment is easier. |
