$Unique_ID{BRK01244}
$Pretitle{Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue}
$Title{Are There Other Tests to Discover the Cause of Allergies?}
$Subject{allergy skin tests}
$Volume{L}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Are There Other Tests to Discover the Cause of Allergies?


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QUESTION:  Though my yearly allergies are very annoying, I just can't bring
myself to those tests which involve all those needles being stuck into you.
Are there any other tests that can help discover the cause of my problems, and
perhaps lead to some treatments that can help?

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ANSWER:  You can't escape getting stuck entirely, but one way of getting
tested is more comfortable than another.  The many injections or skin
scratches used in traditional allergy testing can be replaced by one stick to
draw a blood sample.  One blood sample is all that is needed for RAST
(radioallergosorbent test) to measure the body's response to allergens.  RAST
is a test conducted outside the body, or "in vitro" (it comes from the words
for "glass" because of the methods that used test tubes for investigations and
experiments).
     The traditional method of allergy testing involves injecting the skin,
using a skin scratch technique, usually on the back, using many different
allergens, and watching the body's reaction to each of them.  This method,
because it takes place in the body, is known as "in vivo" testing.
     RAST is more expensive than the customary scratch testing, but it is also
more convenient, less time-consuming, and can tell us more precisely if a
certain allergen is the cause of your allergy problem.  You are lucky however,
as recent developments in new medications which are quite effective in
controlling some of the annoying symptoms of summer allergies, may be enough
to help bring you the relief you are seeking.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
