Allergies Health Center

An allergy is a broad term used to refer to an immune system's response to a normally harmless substance. This reaction, called hypersensitivity, causes the body to release inflammatory proteins into the body. When the immune system recognizes an allergen or trigger as something harmful, it reacts in defense, causing a reaction that causes ill like symptoms as the body works to fight what it believes is a substance that is hurting the body. 

Allergies can be diagnosed most commonly by a skin test but can also be detected through a blood test. 

A skin test is conducted to determine allergies and consists of a skin prick test to find out whether one has antibodies which react to a specific allergen. A needle is used to place tiny amounts of varying substances in liquid form just below the skin's surface typically on the lower area of the arm. If the individual is allergic to any of the substances, there will be swelling or redness at the test site. 

A blood test is when one's blood sample is taken by a health care professional to measure levels of specific antibodies one's body might produce. 

Review Date: 
June 27, 2012
Last Updated:
June 2, 2014
Source:
dailyrx.com