Common Tests or Labs to Diagnose Home Allergies

To diagnose indoor or home allergies, the doctor will ask many questions about your health history, your work and home environments, your family medical history, frequency and severity of your symptoms, exposure to pets, and other questions.

Your answers to these questions may reveal obvious triggers, such as symptoms that develop in response to a certain animal. Skin tests or blood tests may also be needed to determine which allergens trigger your indoor allergies.

Test Why Test? What Happens? Normal Result

Skin Prick Test

To find out if your body produces antibodies that react to a specific allergen

A needle is used to place a tiny amount of allergen just below the surface of the skin on your lower arm or back.

The skin will not react if there is no allergy.

If you are allergic to that allergen, there will be swelling or redness at the test site.

Blood Test

To measure the levels of specific antibodies to allergens, such as pollen, mold, or dust mites, in your blood

Blood is drawn with a syringe, typically from the arm.

Antibodies to a specific allergen in the blood indicate a possible allergy to that allergen.

Local Home Allergies Specialists

loading

Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month: Finding the Right Care

Posted on 2013-05-14 08:00:23
May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. This month also marks peak season for asthma and allergy sufferers, ...