constantly runny with drainage?
2007-03-10 14:00:26 · 5 answers · asked by spirit2 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Allergies
Skin testing is done by making a series of tiny injections just under the skin, each leaving just a tiny bump while the bubble is absorbed into the system. Reaction to a substance shows by the area of the skin showing redness, etc. They drew a checkerboard on my back years ago and put a plant oil in each square. The one that reacted was in the Middle of the back where I could not reach to scratch it, and it itched like crazy. RAST is another method of testing; they draw blood and send it off to a laboratory. It really isn't painful, but it can be extremely beneficial to learn what you're allergic to. Be sure that they test you for food allergies while you're at it, as well as chemicals. Some people are sensitive to odors such as oils, gas, plastics, hair sprays, etc.
When you learn what you're allergic to, they may recommend desensitization shots, every so often, or may give you "food drops" to put under your tongue in an effort to help desensitize the allergy and lessen the reaction, but when you learn what is causing the problem, you can learn how to protect yourself.
2007-03-10 14:18:12 · answer #1 · answered by jelmar106 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No it's not painful just uncomfortable. They will do about 20 little needle pricks on the inside of each forearm and wait. As the site swells they measure it somehow and know which ones you are really allergic too. If they aren't sure of a few of them they will do another test on your upper arm or back. It's not like real painful but it does itch and you can't scratch them. I was so allergic to trees and grass that it sent me into an asthma attack in the docs office. I've had them done quite a few times. But it helps to find out just what you are allergic to so you can avoid them. Of course I can't avoid trees and grass. I just don't open windows in the morning when the pollen is the worse. Good Luck!
2007-03-11 03:32:36 · answer #2 · answered by texasblueslady 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My eldest son was allergy tested twice. It's not painful at all. Yet, it is uncomfortable if you have a reaction to one of the tests. They do it on your back and make a bunch of little pricks that don't hurt and they wait 20 minutes for a reaction to see if you are allergic to something.
The bumbs swell up and are itching if you have a reaction. My 9 year old son told me that he just wanted to scratch. He couldn't scratch them though. After the test they put some cream on his back and he was instantly relieved.
Yes, he did have several reactions and the medications that he is on has stopped his itchy runny eyes, watery nose, and sneezing. It works wonders when you are on the proper medications and have the right diagnosis of what you are reacting too.
2007-03-10 22:10:47 · answer #3 · answered by Terri 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was allergy tested just over a year ago. It definitely was painful, but more than anything, it was very very uncomfortable. My testing began on my back. It's basically a bunch of needles (kind of in the shape of a comb) covered in the allergant which gets scratched deeply down your skin in different sections and allowed to react.
Then I was injected with allergants on both my arms. They create small bumps just under your skin like when you get tuberculosis testing.
I was found to be allergic to most of the allergants and began allergy shots after that. I only went through the shots for 6 months, but my allergies markedly improved while I was having testing, and am planning on going back to them very soon.
2007-03-11 01:54:33 · answer #4 · answered by Eggy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I've had it done.
No, it is not painful at all. If it turns out that you are allergic to something, chances are it will be effective in clearing up that runny nose.
It will probably be a little uncomfortable and itchy, but that won't last many days.
2007-03-10 22:22:42 · answer #5 · answered by Husker41 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋