Test for allergies by drawing blood. What are the advantages?
Allergies are caused by inflammation of organs in each part of the body. Often found in young children to older children. In each age group, different allergies are found.
How can allergy testing be done?
2 methods of allergy testing
1. Skin prick test
It is taking allergy extracts and dropping them onto the skin. The most popular places to do it are on the stomach, arms or back. Then use the tip of the needle to poke the solution so that the solution can be absorbed under the skin. Observe your body's response to the allergen for about 15-20 minutes.
2. Test by drawing blood to check for direct allergy to allergens (Specihc IgE)
Which can detect both food allergies such as cow's milk, egg yolks, egg whites, wheat flour, nuts, and air allergies such as dust mites, dog hair, cat hair.
Advantages of testing by drawing blood
- Can be tested in children who cannot be pricked through the skin, such as those who have severe allergic reactions and need to use antihistamines continuously and are unable to stop the medication.
- People who have had a severe allergic reaction to the substance being tested, such as an allergy to the suspected food. or the substance being tested has had severe anaphylaxis before. The skin prick test may trigger symptoms during the test. Therefore, a blood draw is more appropriate.
- Can be performed on children under 6 months of age.
