News of the story
"On Point"
What is an allergy, why does it occur and how can it be identified as accurately as possible? Head of the allergology and occupational pathology department at the 10th City Clinical Hospital, Svetlana Nesterovich, explained in a recent episode of BelTA’s On Point. Health project.
“Allergy is an unusual reaction to ordinary substances, to put it simply. Or hypersensitivity to common substances around us. Why does it occur? There are several reasons. First, hereditary predisposition. Second, the environment surrounding a person. And third, the body’s response to the substances,” Svetlana Nesterovich said.
How can an allergen be more accurately determined through a blood test or skin tests?
“The methods complement one another. It is impossible to say that one is better and the other is worse. The gold standard for allergy diagnosis is skin allergy testing. A blood test for specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), often referred to simply as a blood test for allergens, serves as an additional diagnostic tool,” the expert explained.
Are there any cases when the tests are negative, but you still have allergy symptoms?
“This most often happens because a person is taking antihistamines, or anti-allergy medication, during the testing. The patient should wait for a certain period after discontinuing these medications and then undergo allergy testing. If there is an allergy, the results should be positive,” Svetlana Nesterovich added.
How can an allergen be more accurately determined through a blood test or skin tests?
“The methods complement one another. It is impossible to say that one is better and the other is worse. The gold standard for allergy diagnosis is skin allergy testing. A blood test for specific immunoglobulin E (IgE), often referred to simply as a blood test for allergens, serves as an additional diagnostic tool,” the expert explained.
Are there any cases when the tests are negative, but you still have allergy symptoms?
“This most often happens because a person is taking antihistamines, or anti-allergy medication, during the testing. The patient should wait for a certain period after discontinuing these medications and then undergo allergy testing. If there is an allergy, the results should be positive,” Svetlana Nesterovich added.
Follow us on:
