Description

Allergy and Allergy Tests

What is Allergy?

Allergy is a term used to describe the body’s adverse (bad)
reaction to a specific substance. Most things that cause allergies are not
actually harmful and do not act on people who are not allergic. Any substance
that triggers an allergic reaction is called an allergen.

Allergy tests are tests that reveal the presence of allergies. In other
words, if there is an allergic cause of the current disease, it is the tests that
determine it. The place and importance of allergy tests in the allergy
unit is great.

In which diseases are allergy tests done? 

• Respiratory allergies (allergic rhinitis and asthma)
• Food allergies
• Bee allergies
• Drug allergies (in some)
• Skin allergies (urticaria and angioedema)
• Eczema (contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis)

Also; It is also useful in cases such as recurrent or prolonged sinusitis, cough,
middle ear inflammation or conjunctivitis (redness and itching in the eyes).

In order for the applied test to be beneficial for the patient
The most suitable test material should be
determined.

– The test should be applied correctly, that is,
in accordance with the technique, and the results obtained should be
interpreted correctly.

Incorrectly applied or misinterpreted allergy
tests cause unnecessary treatments or financial losses.

– These tests should be decided and applied by
physicians who are experts in allergies (with allergy / clinical immunology
expertise). PRICK TEST (EPIDERMAL TEST)

It is the most common allergy test. It is a test that does not cause pain or pain to the patient
and results in a short time. It is applied in diseases such as allergic
rhinitis (allergic rhinitis), allergic asthma, urticaria (hives or urticaria),
food allergy, bee allergy. It is usually done on the inside of the arm. Liquid
test material containing allergen is dripped onto the skin. A small
scratch is created on the top layer of the skin, allowing the allergy to leak
into the skin and merge with the “allergy cells” there. This
application is made with sterile and disposable pointed materials called
“lancet”. After the test is applied, it is waited for 10-15
minutes and then the skin responses obtained are evaluated.

Some drugs cause the test to give erroneous results
A. Antihistamines, drugs used in allergy treatment.

B. Drugs used in the treatment of flu infections

C. Some cough syrups

D. Some drugs used in the treatment of stomach diseases

E. Some drugs used in the treatment of depression

 The medications you are using will be asked by
your doctor during the test planning phase. Inform your doctor about all
medications you have used, or have recently used.

If you need to use any medication after the
allergy test is scheduled and your appointment is made, please consult your
doctor whether a drug has an effect on the tests to be performed.

– Do not stop using your vital medications for
heart, diabetes or high blood pressure by yourself, worrying that it will
affect the allergy test.