Allergist - Diagnostic Procedures

There are several different ways that an allergist can find out what you may be struggling with

. These diagnostic procedures are not always easy but they are often necessary. Patients need to know that the test may not always confirm the diagnosis. Sometimes they are used to rule different problems out. While it can be frustrating to wait and see what happens, patients are often relieved to find out that their doctor knows what is wrong and how to deal with it.

Skin Testing

A small plastic device is used to either prick or scratch the skin with different solutions. Some contain food particles, insect particles or even airborne particles. If an area ends up with a reaction, the allergist knows what the problem is and what treatment will work best. Reactions often show up in under a half an hour.

Patch Testing

A patch is placed on the skin and should be able to demonstrate an allergy that often comes with a delayed reaction. Over the course of two days, the patch stays on. Then an initial reading is taken and if there is no reaction, the area is checked again in a few days. Either way, if there is any type of reaction, the doctor will be able to see it and make a diagnosis.

Spirometry

This test has nothing to do with the skin and everything to do with the amount of air a person can take into his or her lungs. It helps determine whether or not a patient has asthma and if so, the severity of the ailment. The results print right away after the patient breathes into a machine. From there, the allergist can begin breathing treatments and look for a long-term care plan for the asthma.

Laboratory Testing

Sometimes allergies are not easy to detect. An allergist may have a suspicion that a patient is allergic to something but further testing is required. If skin testing is too risky, patients can undergo a blood test. This will show whether or not there are certain problems within the body, if there is an immune system disorder, or whether or not a patient has a severe food allergy. These tests take from a few days to a few weeks to be read. Taking the blood only requires one appointment but the testing can take much longer.

Diagnostic Imaging

When the skin and the blood don't hold the answers, it is time to look more closely at other parts of the body. This is especially true for issues that center around breathing. Either an x-ray or a CT scan can be administered to get a closer look at the lungs or even the sinus cavities. The allergist can read the images and determine what the problem is and how it should be addressed.

by: Anders Abadie

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