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Allergy Clinic
Continued
:: What allergy tests are available?
The type of test to be carried out will depend upon your symptoms or condition of your skin and are described as follows:
BLOOD TEST
Blood tests measure the amount of IgE circulating in the blood, that the immune system has produced against a suspected allergen.
The test is carried out on a small sample of blood, which is usually taken from a vein in the arm, using a fine needle and a small syringe, causing minimal discomfort. The sample is then sent to a hospital laboratory and the results are available in 7 to 14 days.
PATCH TESTING
This test is performed in cases of contact dermatitis (Eczema) where allergy is suspected.
The allergens are prepared in appropriate concentrations in white soft paraffin (e.g. Vaseline) and are then spread on to discs, 1 cm in diameter.
The discs (which are usually made of a special metal, cannot themselves provoke a reaction) are placed on the skin, usually on the back, and are kept in place by hypoallergenic tape.
The skin is coded appropriately and the patient is asked to keep the skin dry. The patches are left in place for 48 hours.
After which time the discs are removed, the skin is examined and any redness or swellings are noted. The skin is re-examined after a further 48 hours for any remaining local redness or swelling.
The interpretation of this form of testing is not as simple as it sounds and tends to be carried out by dermatology department in hospitals. The symptoms of contact dermatitis need to be brought under control before patch testing can be carried out, otherwise the results will be unreliable. Steroid creams need to be stopped for 3-4 weeks before testing as they may suppress the test response.
Any professional interpreting skin, blood or patch tests must first interpret the results in the light of the patient’s history. No test should be read in isolation.
The Canterbury Skin and Laser Clinic offers both blood tests and patch tests if indicated.
CAN WE TEST FOR FOOD INTOLERANCE (NOT FOOD ALLERGY)
Currently medical/scientific trials are underway looking at blood tests for food intolerance. These trials are at an early stage and we eagerly await the outcomes in due course.
OTHER (NON-CONVENTIONAL) ALLERGY TESTS
The following tests are not regarded by conventional medical practitioners to be relevant, standardised or repeatable and are considered to have no place in the diagnosis of true allergy.
Applied Kinesiology – measures muscle strength. Auricular Cardiac Reflex Method – measures strongest pulse at wrist. Hair Analysis – hair tested for medical problems. Leukocytotoxic Tests – white blood cells mixed with suspected allergen and observed under a microscope. Neutralisation-Provocation Testing – a specific dose of neutralised allergen drops are placed under the tongue. Vega Testing – measures the electromagnetic fields produced by the sufferer. If in doubt, always request evidence of the results of approved clinical trials..
:: What allergy tests are available?
The type of test to be carried out will depend upon your symptoms or condition of your skin and are described as follows:
BLOOD TEST
Blood tests measure the amount of IgE circulating in the blood, that the immune system has produced against a suspected allergen.
The test is carried out on a small sample of blood, which is usually taken from a vein in the arm, using a fine needle and a small syringe, causing minimal discomfort. The sample is then sent to a hospital laboratory and the results are available in 7 to 14 days.
PATCH TESTING
This test is performed in cases of contact dermatitis (Eczema) where allergy is suspected.
The allergens are prepared in appropriate concentrations in white soft paraffin (e.g. Vaseline) and are then spread on to discs, 1 cm in diameter.
The discs (which are usually made of a special metal, cannot themselves provoke a reaction) are placed on the skin, usually on the back, and are kept in place by hypoallergenic tape.
The skin is coded appropriately and the patient is asked to keep the skin dry. The patches are left in place for 48 hours.
After which time the discs are removed, the skin is examined and any redness or swellings are noted. The skin is re-examined after a further 48 hours for any remaining local redness or swelling.
The interpretation of this form of testing is not as simple as it sounds and tends to be carried out by dermatology department in hospitals. The symptoms of contact dermatitis need to be brought under control before patch testing can be carried out, otherwise the results will be unreliable. Steroid creams need to be stopped for 3-4 weeks before testing as they may suppress the test response.
Any professional interpreting skin, blood or patch tests must first interpret the results in the light of the patient’s history. No test should be read in isolation.
The Canterbury Skin and Laser Clinic offers both blood tests and patch tests if indicated.
CAN WE TEST FOR FOOD INTOLERANCE (NOT FOOD ALLERGY)
Currently medical/scientific trials are underway looking at blood tests for food intolerance. These trials are at an early stage and we eagerly await the outcomes in due course.
OTHER (NON-CONVENTIONAL) ALLERGY TESTS
The following tests are not regarded by conventional medical practitioners to be relevant, standardised or repeatable and are considered to have no place in the diagnosis of true allergy.
Applied Kinesiology – measures muscle strength. Auricular Cardiac Reflex Method – measures strongest pulse at wrist. Hair Analysis – hair tested for medical problems. Leukocytotoxic Tests – white blood cells mixed with suspected allergen and observed under a microscope. Neutralisation-Provocation Testing – a specific dose of neutralised allergen drops are placed under the tongue. Vega Testing – measures the electromagnetic fields produced by the sufferer. If in doubt, always request evidence of the results of approved clinical trials..
