Allergy Test: Treatment, Effect & Risks

An allergy test is used to detect allergens that can make a living being sick. An allergy test is used whenever an allergy is suspected. In most cases, an allergy test can be done at a family doctor’s office.

What is an allergy test?

The prick test is an allergy test to check allergic reaction to pollen or animal hair. In this test, possible allergic substances are dripped onto the skin, which is then lightly pricked with a lancet. After 20 minutes, the redness of the skin and the size of the wheal are assessed. We speak of an allergy when a body reacts to a particular degree to usually harmless substances (animal hair, flower pollen) with itching eyes, rhinitis, shortness of breath or even circulatory collapse. According to estimates, there are about 25 million allergy sufferers in Germany – and the number is rising. That is why an allergy test is always part of the basic equipment at dermatologists, pneumologists and allergologists. With an allergy test, the body’s reactions are determined quickly and reliably. If symptoms of an allergy are already present, the allergy test secures the diagnosis. If the symptoms are (still) missing, it is clarified: does the person concerned already react sensitively to one or more specific allergens?

Function, effect, application and goal

Only experienced specialists can correctly perform and evaluate an allergy test. For this reason, a visit to a specialist should be mandatory if someone believes they are suffering from an allergy. There are different ways to perform an allergy test. The most common is the prick test. With this allergy test it is possible to see within a few minutes whether the person being tested is suffering from an allergy. First, the skin on the forearm is minimally scratched. Then the allergenic substance is dripped onto the skin. If an allergy is present, an itchy wheal forms on the skin within a few minutes. In another allergy test, the allergenic substance is injected under the skin. However, this allergy test carries the risk of a severe allergic reaction and is now rarely used. An inhalation allergy test is also possible. In this case, the suspected substance is inhaled under medical supervision. An allergy test via the nose is also possible. Some allergy tests also determine the inflammation levels or antibodies in the blood via a blood sample. The risk of side effects is zero here. Furthermore, this test method is also considered to be the most conclusive when it comes to determining or ruling out an allergy. However, the blood test cannot always exclude the allergy test directly on the patient’s body. This also appears to be a cost issue. The epicutaneous test, which used to be frequently used on the back, is now less common. It often led to false positive reactions. If an allergy test is negative, the person examined is most likely not suffering from any allergy. If the allergy test is positive, the further procedure (medication, hyposensitization) is decided together with the physician. Thus, an allergy test performed in time can help to start the therapy as early as possible. Often worse things (e.g. asthma) can be prevented. Sometimes an allergy test has to be repeated if the result is not clear. Before an allergy test, it is very important that no antihistamines have been taken for a week. These medications would curb any allergic reaction. The allergy test would then be useless.

Dangers and risks

Performing an allergy test is considered safe. As a rule, an allergy test does not carry any dangers. Performed in a doctor’s environment, an allergy test also always has an emergency kit at the ready. Nevertheless, there is a small chance that the person affected will suffer a life-threatening shock. In this case, immediate action must be taken and the emergency doctor called. It also becomes dangerous when a food allergy is to be diagnosed via an allergy test. The allergenic food can trigger delayed reactions. At this point, however, the patient may already be outside the doctor’s office again. For this reason, food provocations are performed in the clinic whenever possible. An allergy test to filter out drug intolerance is also a case for the clinic. A very common side effect of an allergy test is circulatory collapse.However, it is not the allergy-causing substance that is to blame. Tension and psychological stress are usually the triggers. Furthermore, the prick test as an allergy test is discredited for provoking an allergy in the first place by scratching the skin. However, scientists disagree and say: an allergy test should ultimately detect the disease and not make themselves sick.