User:Stacyargueta/Allergy test

Draft for Allergy Test Wiki edits for class

Allergy Blood test paragraph additions:

Allergy blood tests are usually recommended for those who take medication that can interfere with skin testing or those with skin conditions. Allergy blood tests only utilize one needle to draw blood which can possibly be painful, cause bleeding, and some people may faint from the blood testing. Depending on the blood test, it can be more costly than the skin prick test and may have a possibility of giving false positives. They also are not as readily available and can take long for results to come in. Blood tests cannot be used to test a penicillin allergy.

Skin testing additions:

There are two different skin testing where one is on the surface of the skin and the other is an intradermal injection of the allergen in the arm. Skin testing provides results within 20 to 30 minutes. When there is a positive result, patients will experience an swollen, itchy, red bump similar to a mosquito bite. Some medications, such as anti-histamines, can interfere with skin testing and may be why some patients will need a blood test over a skin test if the medication needs to be taken consistently.

New Paragraph on Patch Testing:

Patch testing is another form of allergy testing that does not require any blood or needles. Patch testing is when the allergen is placed on a patch which is then placed on the skin. These patches are worn for 48 hours and then removed to check for any irritation of the skin. This form of testing is usually used to find allergens that may cause delayed reactions such as latex, hair dyes, and more.