The pricks and the needles, both tests.
And what are allergy shots like?
2006-06-17 07:18:16 · 4 answers · asked by real_sweetheart_76 5 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Other - General Health Care
The allergy test pricks feel exactly like you described: a basically painless prick on the surface of the skin. It doesn't hurt that much, if at all. These pricks aren't as deep as a regular shot, like a flu shot. Generally an allergic component (like microscopic cat and dog dander, pollen, etc) is mixed in a sterile solution that is injected slightly below the surface of the skin. Things that people are allergic to (including those I mentioned above, plus several dozen more things like dust, tree pollens, etc) are individually pricked on your skin to determine whether or not you are allergic to them. The doctor will have a process of noting (on paper) exactly which allergen he injected and where. He/she has to do each one individually because if they are all mixed together they can't determine what you are reacting to.
If you aren't allergic, you won't have any raised swelling but if you are it will look like the small welt you get when you get a mosquito bite.
As for the allergy shots, they feel like any normal shot would feel - a tiny bit painful, but not horrific, unless of course, you are scared of shots. The shot is comprised of all the allergens your doctor has determined you are allergic to, which is based on the tests that were given. Gradually, but at different appointments, the doctor will increase the concentration of each allergen in the shot, which is supposed to build up your tolerance to the allergens in question. The Doctor will also monitor your reactions to the shot to make sure you don't have a bad reaction.
That's what my allergist did 25 years ago, so some things might have changed, but the principles are still the same.
2006-06-17 07:43:22 · answer #1 · answered by Sweet Pea 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
the tests aren't a big deal, you don't even feel it. and soon after, if you're allergic to things, you'll have little bumps on your arm. it's kind of weird, but it's not painful or anything.
as far as the shots, I wouldn't know. never had them. I just take allergy pills like Benedryl and stuff.
2006-06-17 14:30:15 · answer #2 · answered by kill_jenn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they usually make a grid on your back and put possible allergens in each box and see which ones you react to. There is also blood allergen testing where they test to see if you have antibodies toward an allergen or not.
2006-06-17 14:23:55 · answer #3 · answered by Almost MD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't hurt but if your allergic to something that section of your back swells.
2006-06-17 14:23:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋