3 Things To Know About Allergy Testing

Posted on: 16 June 2021

Share

Allergies are something that many people deal with daily. You can be allergic to things that you touch, breathe in, or eat. There are many different allergens out there, and some are more sensitive to them than others. In some instances, allergies can even be life-threatening, which is why identifying them is so important. Allergy testing offers a way for doctors to diagnose your allergies. Here are three things that you should know about allergy testing. 

When To Get Allergy Testing

While allergy tests can be beneficial, they aren't necessary for many situations. If you have narrowed down what is causing your allergic reactions, or if you respond well to over-the-counter treatments, then allergy testing may not be recommended by your doctor. However, if you are having trouble determining what is causing your reactions or experiencing symptoms that are ongoing and do not respond to medication, then allergy testing may help. Allergy testing can determine what is causing the reaction and help your doctor decide which treatments you need.

There Are Different Kinds Of Allergy Tests

Another thing to know about allergy testing is that there are different kinds of allergy tests available. Skin tests involve placing allergens on the skin to see if they produce a reaction. If your skin reacts to the allergen by swelling, turning red, or itching, then you are allergic to that allergen. If you react with a skin test, a blood test may be performed to learn more about your allergies. For suspected food allergies, you will likely be placed on an elimination diet which removes specific foods from your diet for a time to see if there is a reaction when you reintroduce them. 

How Much Allergy Testing Costs

How much allergy testing costs varies depending on the type of allergy testing you need and whether you have health insurance. For skin tests, you can expect to pay $60 to $300 in total for the allergy testing alone. Blood allergy testing is pricier, costing between $200 and $1,000. If you have health insurance, the cost of allergy testing will vary depending on things like co-pays and whether your allergist is in-network.

Allergy testing can help identify what is producing allergic reactions, but there are a few things to know about testing. First, while allergy testing can help determine what is causing your reactions but it's not always necessary. Second, there are different allergy tests, including skin tests, blood tests, and elimination diets. Finally, the cost of allergy testing will vary depending on the type of testing you require and whether you have health insurance.