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Allergy Testing
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Common Questions
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1. What other tests are available for allergy testing?
2. My allergy test was negative, but I am having symptoms. What else could it be?
3. My allergy symptoms are generally mild. How serious is this really?
4. Will my allergies ever go away?
5. Why am I told to avoid fresh fruit when my allergy is to tree pollen?
1. What other tests are available for allergy testing?
Skin prick or scratch tests, patch tests, and oral food challenges are usually done by an allergist or dermatologist. Your doctor may also try eliminating foods from your diet and then reintroducing them to find out what you are allergic to. It is important that these tests be done under close medical supervision, as a life threatening anaphylactic reaction is possible.
2. My allergy test was negative, but I am having symptoms. What else could it be?
You could have a genetic hypersensitivity problem, like Celiac disease’s sensitivity to gluten, or an enzyme deficiency, such as lactase deficiency causing lactose intolerance. It could also be an allergy-like condition that is not mediated by IgE for which there are no specific laboratory tests. Or it could be another disease that is causing allergy-like symptoms. It is important to investigate your individual situation with your doctor’s assistance.
3. My allergy symptoms are generally mild. How serious is this really?
Allergic reactions are very individual. They can be mild or severe, vary from exposure to exposure, get worse over time (or may not), involve the whole body, and can sometimes be fatal.
4. Will my allergies ever go away?
Although children do outgrow some allergies, adults usually do not. Allergies that cause the worst reactions, such as anaphylaxis caused by peanuts, do not usually go away. Avoidance of the allergen and advance preparation for accidental exposure, in the form of medications such as antihistamines and portable epinephrine injections, is the safest course. Immunotherapy can help decrease symptoms for some unavoidable allergies, but they won’t work for food and the treatment, which usually consists of years of regular injections, may need to be continued indefinitely.
5. Why am I told to avoid fresh fruit when my allergy is to tree pollen?
There are cross-reactions between some airborne allergens and fruit proteins. Your body thinks it is detecting tree pollen and creates an allergic reaction to the fruit. It is, however, a relatively rare occurrence.
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This article was last reviewed on
September 18, 2006.
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