IdeaGenius
Active member
"Hi everyone! I'm in need of some help understanding what a positive allergy test is. I know a bit about allergies, but I'm new to allergy tests and what a positive result means.
What is a positive allergy test
- Thread starter IdeaGenius
- Start date
A positive allergy test is a laboratory test that is used to detect the presence of an allergic reaction in a person’s body. Allergy testing can be conducted through skin tests, blood tests, or a combination of both. A positive test result indicates that a person is allergic to a particular substance or allergen.
Skin Test
The skin test is the most commonly used allergy testing. During the test, a small amount of a suspected allergen is placed on the skin and the area is then pricked with a needle. If the person is allergic to the allergen, a raised, red, itchy bump will appear at the test site within 15 minutes.
Blood Test
A blood test, also known as a radioallergosorbent test (RAST), is used to measure the amount of specific antibodies, known as immunoglobulin E (IgE), that are in the blood. This test can be used to detect an allergic reaction to a wide variety of allergens, such as pollen, mold, animal dander, and food. A positive test result indicates that the person is allergic to the allergen.
Combination Test
Some allergists may choose to conduct a combination test, which involves both skin and blood testing. This type of testing is used to confirm the results of a skin test, as well as to identify potential allergens that may not have been detected by the skin test.
Skin Test
The skin test is the most commonly used allergy testing. During the test, a small amount of a suspected allergen is placed on the skin and the area is then pricked with a needle. If the person is allergic to the allergen, a raised, red, itchy bump will appear at the test site within 15 minutes.
Blood Test
A blood test, also known as a radioallergosorbent test (RAST), is used to measure the amount of specific antibodies, known as immunoglobulin E (IgE), that are in the blood. This test can be used to detect an allergic reaction to a wide variety of allergens, such as pollen, mold, animal dander, and food. A positive test result indicates that the person is allergic to the allergen.
Combination Test
Some allergists may choose to conduct a combination test, which involves both skin and blood testing. This type of testing is used to confirm the results of a skin test, as well as to identify potential allergens that may not have been detected by the skin test.