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Has anyone ever had a skin test done for allergies and if so do they hurt?
Best answer: There are two different methods of skin testing - patch and scratch. Most people above described the scratch test, and I saw one person above describing the patch test (wear the patches for a few days). Someone else mentioned the blood
Best answer:
There are two different methods of skin testing - patch and scratch. Most people above described the scratch test, and I saw one person above describing the patch test (wear the patches for a few days). Someone else mentioned the blood testing - this is called RAST, and is much more expensive and not always as sensitive a test as skin testing can be. If you are being tested for typical allergies, testing can be helpful in pinpointing allergens, but there are some things you should be aware of.
First, if you are suffering from hives, being tested while actively hiving can produce false results. And if you are hiving due to chronic urticaria (hives lasting longer than 6 weeks), skin testing is considered contraindicated - for some chronic hivers it can be dangerous, and for many hivers the results are not reliable.
Second, sometimes people have sensitivities rather than allergies, and sensitivities will not show up in allergy testing. True allergies are to proteins, while people can be sensitive to many different substances. And intolerances, such as gluten or lactose, will not show up in allergy testing.
Best answer:
personal experience
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