WebMD eHealth Tools
 |  |
 | |
| 1. Allergens / 2. Allergy Testing | |
CausesAllergy TestingAllergy testing is a procedure that can help determine the specific substances to which a person is allergic. A physician who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of allergic diseases is best qualified to perform this testing. The physician will test a wide variety of common allergens by making a puncture in the skin of the patient and exposing him or her to a small amount of an allergen. If positive, the test causes redness and swelling at the site of the puncture within 15-20 minutes. The amount of redness and swelling indicates how sensitive the patient is to that allergen. A positive skin test can be uncomfortable and itchy, and in rare cases, can cause a severe allergic reaction throughout the entire body.
| |
| Copyright ® 2001 WebMD Corportation. All Rights Reserved | |
