How Do Doctors Test for Allergies?
The doctor suspects that my son has allergies and recommended that we get him tested. What kind of tests should we expect?
– Polly
The two main types of allergy tests are skin tests and blood tests. In a skin test, a very small amount of an allergen is placed underneath the skin. If the area swells up and becomes red (like a mosquito bite), the test is said to be positive, meaning that the child might be allergic to that substance.
A blood test (sometimes called a RAST test) may be used if your child is extremely sensitive to certain allergens, has uncontrolled asthma, or has a skin condition that does not allow a skin test to be performed. Talk to your doctor or allergist about the specific test that will be done.
Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: May 2009
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