Allergy Testing

What are allergies?

Allergies are actually an amazing demonstration of the power of your immune system. That said, when you’re suffering from an allergic reaction, you may not fully appreciate this display of biological might. 

Allergies occur when your immune system identifies a substance (allergen) that would not normally be harmful to humans. Your system responds by creating antibodies to fight off the presumed attacker, and those antibodies remain in your system, ready to spring into action if you encounter the triggering allergen in the future. 

Everyone has a unique experience with allergies, and things that trigger one person’s allergic reaction are perfectly harmless to another. Examples of common allergens include:

• Pet dander
• Mold
• Peanuts
• Shellfish
• Eggs
• Bee stings
• Latex
• Certain medications

That is far from a comprehensive list. Many different substances can trigger an allergic reaction. 

How does allergy testing work?

Getting tested for allergies is a simple and straightforward process. Your Respacare practitioner begins by discussing your overall health history as well as when and how you react to various allergens. 

Skin testing allows your specialist to learn more about your allergies without prompting a full-blown allergic reaction. On the day of your test, you rest comfortably as your specialist uses a medical device to create a small scratch on your skin on your back. This noninvasive option is painless and doesn’t require needles.

Your practitioner introduces a minute volume of a potential allergen into your skin during each scratch. If your immune system reacts with swelling, redness, or raised bumps at the site of the scratch, you likely are allergic to that specific allergen. 

How are allergies treated?

Once you know the full scope of your allergies, you can take steps to prevent reactions. One of the most powerful ways to control allergies is to make an effort to avoid known triggers. 

If environmental allergens like smoke, dust, mold, or pollen prompt an allergic reaction, reducing your exposure to those substances can go a long way toward reducing symptoms. 

Sublingual immunotherapy is an outstanding treatment for allergies. This approach works by giving your immune system a chance to build up a tolerance for specific allergens like ragweed, numerous grass pollens, and dust mites. 

This treatment requires depositing a few drops of a custom-blended serum beneath your tongue each day. Respacare also offers an injectable form of immunotherapy. Over time, immunotherapy allows you to encounter allergens without launching an immune response. 

If you’re ready to learn more, schedule an appointment at Respacare online or by phone today.