Allergy testing today was fascinating.
Sitting in an office wearing a spaghetti strap shirt and shorts on a snow day was a bit bizarre, but when i took off my jacket the nurse laughed and said i obviously wasnt afraid of needles.
She took my forearm first. The first step is called the initial screen skin prick test and involves the application of two Multi-Test devices to one lower arm. The devices have no needles and do not break the skin. A total of 14 allergens are placed on the skin as well as a small amount of histamine to make sure your skin is capable of producing a normal, visible skin reaction… mine certainly was and it was incredibly itchy. They look to see if you have any bumps after 15 minutes, measure the size of the bumps and make a note of them.
The second step in skin testing is called the extended skin prick test and involves the application of four Multi-Test devices to the other upper and lower arm. It is basically the same process as the initial screen but just tests for more detailed allergens. A total of 32 allergens are placed on the skin. Skin reactions are measured after 14 minutes.
The third step in skin testing is called intradermal testing. (2nd picture) This allows us doctors to figure out the degree of sensitivity to an allergen that produced a skin reaction on the prick test.
It is also a more sensitive test that can tell them if you really are sensitive to an allergen that had little or no reaction on the prick test.
Intradermal testing involves injection of a very small volume of each of the allergens into the skin to make a tiny lump (less than ¼ inch). This is similar to the skin test for Tuberculosis, called a PPD test.
They then measured the skin reaction to each of the allergens in 15 minutes. They usually do the second step for people with severe allergic or sinus conditions, people who have not responded to allergy medications, people who are interested in allergy shots or drops, or if they really suspect allergies but have a negative prick test.
final pic… one of my arms after the 3rd set of testing… allergic to.. northern virginia lol but more specifically.. molds, cats, plants, bacteria on plants, grass, trees, wheat, rhye, corn, dust mites, pollen..and the list goes on.
My doc had to preform some emergency surgery so i go back on the 19th to discuss immuotherapy shots once a week and surgery on my sinuses.. the fun never ends.
About me
24. Work for the govt. Army public affairs i LOVE it. lover of a quick wit, words, inspirational messages, English Bull Terrier, and photos that make me look at the world in a new way.
Quote I try to live my life by:
“Do as little harm to others as you can; make any sacrifice for your true friends; be responsible for yourself and ask nothing of others; and grab all the fun you can. Don't give much thought to yesterday, don't worry about tomorrow, live in the moment, and trust that your existence has meaning even when the world seems to be all blind chance and chaos. When life lands a hammer blow in your face, do your best to respond to the hammer as if it had been a cream pie. Sometimes black humor is the only kind we can summon, but even dark laughter can sustain.” Dean Koontz
