Allergy Tests: Results
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Results
A skin or blood test can tell you what substance, or allergen, may trigger an allergic response.
Skin tests
Skin tests work by exposing a person to suspected allergens and seeing if a reaction occurs. The results of the skin tests will be available immediately after testing is done.
Normal (negative): | No raised red areas (called wheals) are created by the allergen. |
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Abnormal (positive): | A wheal created by the allergen is at least 1/8 inch (3 mm) larger than the reaction to the negative control. The larger the wheal, the more certain it is that the person is allergic to that specific allergen. See a picture of a positive patch test reaction |
Blood tests
Allergy blood tests look for substances in the blood called antibodies. Results of allergy blood tests are usually available in about 7 days.
Normal (negative): | The levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), a type of antibody, are the same as in a person who does not have allergies. |
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Abnormal (positive): | The levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies for a particular allergen or group of allergens are 4 times the normal level. |
| Last updated: | August 08, 2007 |
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| Author: | Debby Golonka, MPH |
| Reviewed By: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Harold S. Nelson, MD - Allergy and Immunology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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