Diagnostic Procedures for Allergy

Diagnostic tests for allergy may include any/all of the following:

• nasal smears
  Nasal smears are tests performed to check the amount of eosinophils in the nose. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that increases in number during an allergic reaction.
  
  
• blood tests
  Blood tests for allergies measure IgE (immunoglobin E) antibodies to specific allergens in the blood. The blood test most commonly used is called RAST (radioallergosorbent test). Blood tests may be used when skin tests cannot by performed. As with skin testing, it is important to remember that a positive blood test does not always mean you are allergic to that allergen.
  
  
• skin tests
  The skin test is a very accurate test that measures your level of IgE antibodies in response to certain allergens or triggers. Using small amounts of solution that contain different allergens, the physician will either inject under the skin or apply the allergens with a small scratch. A reaction would appear as a small red area. A reaction to the skin test does not always mean you are allergic to the allergen that caused the reaction. This will be determined by your physician.

  Skin testing is usually not performed on children who have had a severe life-threatening reaction to an allergen or have severe dry skin (eczema).

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