If you've been dealing with allergy symptoms, it's time to schedule an appointment with an allergist. If you've decided to use an at-home testing kit, you need to rethink that decision. At-home allergy tests can give you a basic idea about your allergy symptoms. But, when you want the best results, it's a good idea to have a doctor do your allergy testing. If you still think an at-home allergy test is the best way to go, read the list provided below. You'll find three reasons to go to a doctor for your allergy testing instead.
Look at Your Allergy Symptoms
If you've been having some symptoms, you might think they're related to allergies. This is especially true with regard to certain foods. Many people think they have food allergies when they have food intolerance instead. Food allergies can be deadly, especially if your body's response is severe. With allergies, your body's immune system is affected. Food intolerance is different. Food intolerance can cause digestive problems. Those problems can include diarrhea, cramping, and bloating. An allergist can tell if you suffer from allergies or intolerances.
Consider Your Medical History
If you want to know what you're allergic to, the best place to start is with your medical history. This includes your family's history of allergies. At-home allergy testing can't help you with your family history. That's why you should have your doctor perform the allergy testing. An allergist will go over your medical history. This will determine what allergies you might be susceptible to. That information can help them identify your allergies.
Use the Right Testing Methods
If you want accurate results for your allergy testing, you need to start with the right tests. The best way to get the right test is to go to your doctor. There are two ways to test for allergies. Those include blood and skin tests. With blood testing, you'll get one stick with a needle. You can wait quite a while to get blood test results back for your allergies.
There's also a skin test for allergies. Scratch tests use small scratches on the surface of your skin to test for allergies. With intradermal tests, drops of allergens are injected under the skin. Once the skin test gets done, your doctor watches for changes in the skin, such as redness. Changes mean you have an allergy.
Don't take chances with your health. If you suspect that you have allergies, have your doctor perform an allergy test.
Reach out to a clinic like the Allergy and Asthma Clinic of Fort Worth to learn more.
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