Allergy Testing & Treatment
9/27/2022
How to Read Allergy Testing Results
Have you recently had a skin allergy test and don’t know how to read the results? You’re not alone. Reading allergy testing results can be confusing, especially when you are not sure what to look for. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to make sure you understand the results of your test. This article will explain this in simple terms and allow you to understand your results better.
Determine the Type of Testing
Allergy testing can help you determine what substances you are allergic to, which can help you avoid those substances and symptoms. Your immune system responds to allergens by releasing histamine and other chemicals, which cause the body’s inflammatory response.
Here are some different allergy tests you can take:
- Food Allergy Test: This type of test determines if you’re allergic to a specific food. The test involves exposing you to small amounts of the food, which can then be tested for histamine release using blood analysis. If you have an allergic reaction, your immune system releases histamines when the food is exposed.
- Dog Allergy Test: Dog allergy testing is used to determine whether you’re allergic to a particular dog. If you develop redness or swelling at the site and it lasts for at least 24 hours, then you’re probably allergic to dogs.
Understanding the Score of an Allergy Test
The score of an allergy test is a number that indicates the likelihood that you are allergic to a certain substance. The higher the number, the more likely you are to be allergic to that substance. For example, if you take an allergy test and the result says “3+,” that means your body reacted three times or more to that particular substance. If it says “2+,” then your body reacted twice or more. A 1+ reaction would indicate that your body reacted once to the substance, and a 0 reaction indicates that it did not react at all.
This will help explain why some people with negative results from allergy tests can still experience symptoms when they eat certain foods or come into contact with certain substances.
Interpretation of Allergy Test Results
A positive or negative allergy skin test result is typically reported. That’s why allergy testing results can confuse someone with no medical training. An immune response to a potential allergen is considered positive. If not, the test result may indicate that you don’t have an allergy to that substance.
Get Support and Information
Allergy tests are generally accurate and are the most common and reliable type of allergy testing. Yet, no test is perfect, and false negative and false positive test results can occur. That’s why you should always look for a professional to diagnose and treat your signs and symptoms. At Naperville Internist, we can help you read your results and identify allergens. Our professionals help take control of your allergies through our comprehensive treatment plans. Contact us if you’d like to learn more about how we can help you! We offer services in Naperville, IL.