| At what age can the skin allergy tests be done? |
Allergy skin prick tests can be done in adults and children of any age with symptoms suggesting Allergy: respiratory symtomps (eye itch o nose itch, sneezes, watery eyes, cough, chest sounds, shortness of breath, etc), skin symptoms (hives, itch, swelling of the skin), anaphylaxis (severe generalized reaction that can threaten the life of the patieng), etc.
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| Prick test |
Skin prick tests
Image: doctorbarcelo.com |
Skin prick test (intraepidermical test) are made with the application on the surface of the skin of a small quantity of an allergenic extract (normally a drop).
The tests can be made either with aeroallergens (pollen, house dust mites), food, drugs, insects and any other allergen requirin its confirmation on inmmediate hypersensitivity.
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| Contact testing (patch tests) |
Allergy Patch testing (contact test)
Image: Svineviken |
Contact allergy tests are made in the skin of the patient (usually in the back of the patient) to study delayed hipersensitivity. The allergens are in touch with the skin durig 48-72 hours to study the symptoms in the skin.
A huge number of substances are able to sensitize the patient, in their private life or in the industrial setting. Common causes are nickel and cobalt, perfums, cosmetics, essences or dyes.
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| Other tests |
 Prick-by-prick: allergy skin tests with fresh extracts (mainly food).
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Intradermoreaction: special skin test made with inhalant allergens (plant or tree pollen, house dust mites, mold), insect venom (bees, wasps) or drugs.
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