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Allergy Tests - Results
About this test
- Test Overview
-
Health Tools
- Why It Is Done
- How To Prepare
- How It Is Done
- How It Feels
- Risks
- Results
- What Affects the Test
- What To Think About
- References
- Credits
A skin or blood test can tell you what substance, or allergen, may trigger an allergic response.
Skin tests
Skin tests work by exposing a person to suspected allergens and seeing if a reaction occurs. The results of the skin tests will be available immediately after testing is done.
Normal (negative): | No raised red areas (called wheals) are created by the allergen. |
|---|---|
Abnormal (positive): | A wheal created by the allergen is at least 1/8 inch
(3 mm) larger than the reaction to the negative control. The larger the wheal,
the more certain it is that the person is allergic to that specific allergen.
See a picture of a
positive patch test reaction |
Blood tests
Allergy blood tests look for substances in the blood called antibodies. Results of allergy blood tests are usually available in about 7 days.
Normal (negative): | The levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), a type of antibody, are the same as in a person who does not have allergies. |
|---|---|
Abnormal (positive): | The levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies for a particular allergen or group of allergens are 4 times the normal level. |
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: February 1, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Harold S. Nelson, MD - Allergy and Immunology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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