Thousands of people suffer from various types of allergies. The symptoms are sometimes very similar, and identifying the source of the irritant is not an easy task. In medicine, and more precisely in allergology, the skin-allergic test method, or, as it is also called differently, the method of skin tests to detect allergies, has become widespread.
What is this disease?
The word “allergy” is translated from Greek as “another action”. Pathology is the body's response to an allergen or irritant upon contact. In this case, the reaction can be manifested by various rashes, suffocation, itching, swelling, etc.
Allergens are substances that cause irritation. All of them are divided into two types - endogenous and exogenous. Each of them, in turn, is also divided into several groups.
Endogenous allergens are proteins that are inside a person initially, which is the norm forthe organism itself. They can be purchased or own.
Exogenous allergens are the type of irritants that appear from the outside, that is, directly from the environment. In turn, they are divided into infectious and non-infectious.
General characteristics
An allergy skin test is a simple and quick way to identify an allergen and diagnose allergies as a disease. The number of people suffering from allergies of all kinds is constantly growing. The risk group includes children, as well as adults who prefer an unbalanced diet and a passive lifestyle, and individuals with a weak immune system.
It is very difficult to find out and recognize the source of an allergy on your own, therefore, when the first signs appear, you should contact a highly qualified specialist who, through special tests and skin-allergic tests, will identify the allergen.
Testing should be carried out during the remission period, that is, at a time when the allergy does not manifest itself in any way. Allergy tests are divided into categories:
- Quantitative and qualitative.
- Indirect and direct.
Destination
The skin-allergy test method is very effective, it is prescribed when a he althy person shows the following symptoms:
- Conjunctivitis or rhinitis of an allergic form, which are characterized by profuse tearing and redness of the eyes, accompanied bypain.
- Redness on the skin or rashes on it.
- Asthma, difficult breathing.
- Allergic dermatitis, itching.
- Rhinitis, sneezing, etc. seasonally.
- Allergic reactions to certain drugs.
You should consult a doctor when the first symptoms appear, as the outcome of different types of allergies is completely different, and sometimes tragic. The more severe the form of the allergy itself, the more dangerous its consequences. Deaths are rare but likely.
Views
There are not many ways to determine the allergen: tests that are given directly on the patient's skin, and the detection of antibodies in a blood test. Allergy skin testing methods are divided into:
- Prick tests - a drop of irritant is introduced under the thin top layer of the skin by scratching the skin tissue with special needles.
- Scarification test - using a special device (scarifier), particles of allergens are injected under the skin of the forearm.
- Injection under the skin.
- Application test is the only type of test that does not damage the skin.
Important! Do not bring in more than 15 allergens at the same time!
Of the four types of tests, the last one stands out strongly, since the technique for setting up a skin-allergic test of this particular type is completely different. The analysis is as follows: a swab is moistened in an allergen solution and applied to sensitive areas of the skin. Effect, if anyallergies are not long in coming. You can evaluate the reactions that have taken place in the next twenty minutes. Only in some cases it is necessary to wait from 1.5 to 2 days.
The rest of the species are similar in their method. Their technique of setting skin-allergic tests involves damage to the epidermis. You can evaluate the results in 15-20 minutes.
The technique of skin-allergic tests, provided that the irritant is introduced under the skin, is more informative. There is a possibility of a sharp deterioration in the patient's well-being directly during the introduction of the allergen. Even anaphylactic shock may occur. However, the procedure is carried out by a doctor professionally, which means that it is guaranteed to normalize the patient's condition.
The last type is injection. When setting up a skin-allergic test, the algorithm is as follows - it is necessary to extract serum from the blood of a sick person and introduce it into the body of a he althy one. The reaction of the recipient will not be long in coming, if there are antibodies in his blood. This will help evaluate the result of the skin-allergic test as soon as possible. In this process, there is a high risk of transferring serious and incurable diseases, so this type of diagnosis is used extremely rarely.
Contraindications
Regardless of the type of sample being performed, there are a number of factors under which it is absolutely impossible to carry out such procedures. They are also taken into account by experts before testing.
- All skin-allergic tests are carried out starting from6 years. Before this age, the child is too vulnerable to the allergen. For children under the due date, other types of diagnostics have been worked out.
- Older patients. At the age of more than 60 years, samples are not taken.
- Throughout a woman's pregnancy.
- In parallel with the use of hormonal drugs.
- While breastfeeding.
- If you have any chronic disease.
Preparing for the procedure
First of all, it is important to set the time. When did the last reaction to the allergen occur? To do this, for a long period (sometimes more than a month), the doctor observes the patient in order to analyze the systematic reactions. So, her last manifestation should be at least 30 days apart.
Moreover, you should always be prepared for a shock response of the body to the injected drug. Therefore, such studies should be carried out exclusively in specially trained medical institutions, such as dispensaries, polyclinics and specialized medical centers.
Preview
In addition to the basic preparation, during which chronic diseases and the frequency of the reactions themselves are detected, an important step for the procedure is the first steps towards it, that is, a preliminary examination of the patient. At this stage, the patient takes urine and blood tests, as well as a coprogram.
Another essential factor for the procedure is the exclusion of all medicaldrugs for 10 days, as their impact may adversely affect the analysis. A special and important category includes antihistamines, since they are aimed at muffling and dulling the body's reaction to foreign bodies
Results
If after the procedure no changes occurred on the skin, the result is considered negative.
If small swellings or redness of the skin occur, the result is considered positive. Depending on the degree of the body's response to the allergen, the size of the irritation varies: the larger its dimensions, the more acutely the allergen is accepted by the body. Also, the results may be questionable and weakly positive.
Adverse reactions
Skin-allergic tests provide for a negative reaction of the body. The patient is likely to be at risk of itching, swelling, various blisters and redness on the skin. These reactions are expected, but sometimes these symptoms persist for up to 10 days.
In order to alleviate these symptoms, the patient is prescribed the use of ointments that include cortisone in their composition. In medical practice, there are cases when the patient needed urgent hospitalization. However, the percentage of such cases is extremely small.
Prevention measures
Even after successful skin-allergic tests, as well as after the elimination of the disease, it is very important to treat your body and immune system competently. It is important to follow a number of rulesto help protect against allergy symptoms:
- Keep living quarters clean, for this it is necessary to carry out wet cleaning 2 times a week.
- If you are allergic to an animal or plant, you should protect yourself from contact with it.
- Do not consume foods containing preservatives. Eat a balanced diet.
- Shop antibacterial as well as hypoallergenic personal care items.
Some of these rules are extremely simple, but their effectiveness should be noted.
Conclusion
According to the latest statistics, only 70% of all allergy manifestations were associated with taking medications, with 0.005% deaths. The remaining 30% of people subject to allergic reactions are the owners of milder forms of its manifestation, and cases of death are not systematized.
Unfortunately, allergies cannot be completely cured. However, skin allergy testing will help to accurately identify the type of allergen to protect a person from further contact with him.
