#5 - The types of allergy testing & why they can be so hard to interpret

Figuring out the art of allergy testing.

 

Allergy testing can feel overwhelming, scary, and not always black and white. Like most things that pertain to allergies, both food and environment, the answer is not always a straight path. So what do you need to know about allergy testing?

 

Dr G explains the types of allergy testing you can expect to undergo at the allergist office (skin prick, blood test and oral challenge). She also describes how an allergist uses the data from tests and patient history to help deduct what the allergen may be. Kortney chimes in with her own experience, since she has experienced it all from passing an oral challenge, to failing one, and many false negatives.

 

What we cover in this episode:

• Types of allergy testing: skin prick, blood test, and oral challenge
• Explain why allergy tests are a challenge to interpret
• Why it is important to know what a false positive and false negative are in regards to allergy testing
• The importance of patient history when it comes to interpreting allergy tests
• The mind-body connection when undergoing an oral challenge
• What happens in a double-blind oral challenge

Supporting info: www.itchpodcast.com/blog/episode-5