Multiple methods of allergen testing
Prick test for allergens
The prick test can be regarded as a special intradermal test, which is currently an in vivo allergen detection method promoted internationally, especially in Europe and the United States. Because it is a skin prick fluid only one ten thousandth of the intradermal test, safety and sensitivity, high accuracy, due to small skin lesions, patients without pain, as if by mosquito bites and other characteristics, has gradually replaced the traditional intradermal test.
Principle.
When a certain allergen enters the skin, patients who have a rapid allergic reaction to certain substances immediately and specifically cause the mast cells in the skin to degranulate and release histamine and other active substances, resulting in local capillary dilation (erythema) and increased capillary permeability (edema, wind mass), and those who are positive indicate allergy to the antigen.
Operation method.
First, put a drop of the puncture skin test solution on the skin, then use a puncture needle to pass through the drop and gently pierce into the skin.
Patch test
The patch test has been used for a hundred years and has proven its reliability for the diagnosis of contact dermatitis and certain allergic skin diseases, promoting the development of contact dermatitis and skin allergy detection. Our hospital uses European standardized testing reagents for accurate testing.
Principle.
The suspected allergenic substance is applied to the patient’s skin, and the antigen is presented to T lymphocytes by antigen presenting cells after entering the organism through the skin or mucous membrane, which activates specific T lymphocytes and induces an inflammatory response.
Indications.
1, Contact dermatitis, eczema, occupational dermatosis and other skin diseases that occur as a result of metamorphic reactions caused by exposure to certain substances.
2, When the cause is unknown or there are several substances in contact and the cause needs to be found, patch test can be done.
Specific method.
The reagent is applied to the skin and observed for a period of time, and the skin reaction to the contact is used to determine whether it is allergic to the substance.
Total IgE test
Total IgE test is a test to determine the body’s allergic constitution and is an important sign of allergy. When it is elevated and there is no parasitic infection, it indicates that the patient is in an allergic state.
Food intolerance
Many chronic diseases have been clinically proven to be food-related, and the symptoms disappear after the problematic food is removed, which is called food intolerance. Food intolerance testing is also the only late-response (IgG) test for food allergies. Chronic symptoms such as diarrhea, mouth ulcers, hives, acne, migraines, easy fatigue, depression, asthma, sleep disorders, and teeth grinding, all of which cannot be identified as the cause, should be tested for food intolerance and may be related to food intolerance.
Food intolerance
Many chronic diseases have been clinically proven to be food-related, and the symptoms disappear after the problematic food is removed, which is called food intolerance. Food intolerance testing is also the only late-response (IgG) test for food allergies. Chronic symptoms such as diarrhea, mouth ulcers, hives, acne, migraines, easy fatigue, depression, asthma, sleep disorders, teeth grinding, etc. that cannot be identified as the cause should be tested for food intolerance, all of which may be related to food intolerance.
UniCAP test
The UniCAP fully automated in vitro diagnostic system developed by Farmacia Sweden is the most advanced laboratory system for checking allergens in the world and has been confirmed by the International Clinical Laboratory Standards Committee. With its high safety, accurate and reliable test results, it has been confirmed by the World Health Organization and is internationally known as the “gold standard for allergen testing”. Principle: Allergens are covalently bound to CAP’s fibrin solid phase carrier and react with specific IgE antibodies in the patient’s serum sample. A standard curve is drawn based on the World Health Organization (WHO) IGE reference, and the fluorescence intensity can be extrapolated to the IgE concentration in the sample. Test types: More than 600 allergens including inhalation and food can be detected. The test results can be obtained quickly and accurately through a simple blood sample collection, and the degree of allergy can also be detected. Because the test is accurate and can quantitatively measure the degree of allergy, it greatly reduces human error, guarantees the credibility of the test results, and provides a reliable basis for doctors’ clinical treatment.