There are tests available to help confirm or exclude the allergens that may be causing your symptoms.
In some people, the immune system responds to a particular allergen by producing an antibody called IgE, which can be involved in producing the symptoms of a reaction. The key to providing the most appropriate management for these types of allergic reaction is to identify which allergen makes your immune system produce these antibodies.
Once the allergens are identified we can start the process of creating a personalised plan to manage your allergy.
It is important to note that not all symptoms involve IgE antibodies. Therefore, testing is not always appropriate or useful for your condition. The Allergy Doctors are trained to identify whether allergy testing is required, and will not carry out testing if it isn’t needed.
Common allergens that cause Hay Fever symptoms (Allergic Rhinitis) e.g watery nose, nasal congestion, itchy, watery eyes and snoring, include, but are not limited to, grass, tree and weed pollens; dust mites, pet dander and moulds.
Common allergens causing Food Allergy symptoms e.g. swelling of lips, face and around the eyes, hives, wheezing, itchy mouth and lips, stomach upsets include, but are not limited to proteins in cow’s milk, egg, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, peanuts and tree nuts.
Dr Emily and Dr Nikki offer evidence-based allergy tests. Here’s an overview of what those are, and how they work:
Skin Prick Testing is used to confirm if you have the IgE antibodies to certain allergens. It is a safe and effective way of testing a number of allergens at the same time. It works by placing a small drop of solution containing the allergen onto your skin. Once the solution is in place, we gently prick through the droplet into the skin. This is virtually painless and will not produce bleeding.
The skin prick test is usually done on the forearm or sometimes on the back in infants or small children. It takes about 15 minutes to see if a reaction has occurred. After this time the doctor will review, measure any reactions on your skin and discuss the results with you, offering an on-the-spot answer.
Because some medicines can affect the testing results we will ask you to provide us with some additional information at the time of your booking so we can advise you appropriately before seeing you in the clinic.
Some Awanui laboratories offer skin prick testing for a limited set of allergens. During our consultation, The Allergy Doctors can provide a test form for you to arrange this if you prefer, and then arrange a follow up consultation to discuss the results.
Prick to prick testing is a form of skin prick testing, it follows the same process as skin prick testing and allows us to test many other allergens e.g. whole foods that may not be available as commercial extracts.
Blood tests for allergies may be used to check levels of specific IgE antibodies to certain allergens. This is useful if skin tests cannot be undertaken - for example, if a patient has severe eczema, another skin disease, or is taking medicines that may affect the results of skin testing.
Blood tests can be useful to corroborate skin prick test results and are often the primary test in the diagnosis of venom allergy.
If blood tests are needed The Allergy Doctors will order the blood test electronically, so you may then go to your local medical centre or nearest Awanui laboratories to have the test done. We can then arrange a follow-up consultation to discuss any results.
There are some other methods you may have heard of that claim to test for or diagnose allergy. These include hair testing, vega testing, reflexology, kinesiology, pulse testing, electrodermal testing. These methods have not been scientifically validated. We do not recommend or endorse any of these allergy testing methods as they can be both costly and lead to inaccurate or inappropriate diagnoses. All treatments and testing carried out at The Allergy Doctor’s clinic are evidence-based.
