Skin testing is extremely safe, especially when performed by an allergist experienced in the diagnosis of allergies. Whole body allergic reactions, sometimes called anaphylaxis, are extremely rare from skin testing. However, given the possibility that anaphylaxis could occur as a result, skin testing should only be performed in a doctor’s office with equipment available to treat such reactions.
Young children can also be safely skin tested, including infants. Typically, infants have testing for food allergies, although they may have pet or dust mite allergies as well. Children less than 2 years of age may have less skin reactivity to allergy skin tests.
Since RAST involves testing for allergies on a person’s blood, there is no chance that the person will develop an allergic reaction as a result of the testing. However, the chance that a person will have a side effect from drawing blood, such as fainting, excessive bleeding, or infection, is actually higher than that of a side effect from allergy testing.
Certain groups of people cannot have skin testing, and therefore RAST is a better test. These groups include those who cannot stop their antihistamine medications; those with sensitive skin (and a “reaction” to the negative control), those taking certain blood pressure medications (such as beta-blockers), and those with serious heart and lung conditions that put them at increased risk if anaphylaxis should occur.
When Should a Person Have an Allergen Challenge?
Challenging a person to an allergen means that the person is deliberately exposed to the substance, such as having the person eat a food to which an allergy is suspected. Food challenges are frequently performed to see if a child has outgrown a food allergy, or if a positive skin test actually represents an allergy. Food challenges are potentially very dangerous and should only be performed by allergy physicians experienced in their use.
Challenging a person to a non-food allergen, such as pollen or pet dander, is not usually done in an office setting; however, these tests may be performed in academic or research settings.
Young children can also be safely skin tested, including infants. Typically, infants have testing for food allergies, although they may have pet or dust mite allergies as well. Children less than 2 years of age may have less skin reactivity to allergy skin tests.
Since RAST involves testing for allergies on a person’s blood, there is no chance that the person will develop an allergic reaction as a result of the testing. However, the chance that a person will have a side effect from drawing blood, such as fainting, excessive bleeding, or infection, is actually higher than that of a side effect from allergy testing.
Certain groups of people cannot have skin testing, and therefore RAST is a better test. These groups include those who cannot stop their antihistamine medications; those with sensitive skin (and a “reaction” to the negative control), those taking certain blood pressure medications (such as beta-blockers), and those with serious heart and lung conditions that put them at increased risk if anaphylaxis should occur.
When Should a Person Have an Allergen Challenge?
Challenging a person to an allergen means that the person is deliberately exposed to the substance, such as having the person eat a food to which an allergy is suspected. Food challenges are frequently performed to see if a child has outgrown a food allergy, or if a positive skin test actually represents an allergy. Food challenges are potentially very dangerous and should only be performed by allergy physicians experienced in their use.
Challenging a person to a non-food allergen, such as pollen or pet dander, is not usually done in an office setting; however, these tests may be performed in academic or research settings.
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