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Allergy Testing

Allergy Testing consists of taking a A microscopic amount of an allergen is introduced to a patient's skin by various means:

Prick test or scratch test: pricking the skin with a needle or pin containing a small amount of the allergen

Patch test: applying a patch to the skin, where the patch contains the allergen.

If an immuno-response is seen in the form of a rash, urticaria (hives), or (worse) anaphylaxis it can be concluded that the patient has a hypersensitivity (or allergy) to that allergen. Allergy Testing can also consist of doing further testing to identify the particular allergen. The "scratch test" as it's called, is still very commonly used as an allergen test. A similar test involving injecting the allergen is also used, but is not quite as common due to increased likelihood of infection and general ineffectiveness by comparison.

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Allergy Testing Links

The British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology

Wikipedia Allergy Testing Article

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Allergy Testing Documents

Allergy Testing Article

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Allergy Testing in Dorset

Link to Dorset Acupuncturists Directory

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Advice to patients wishing to try Allergy Testing or any Complementary Therapies in Dorset
· Always start with your GP - regardless of which therapy you wish to practice always inform your GP. This will ensure that your total health needs are considered. Your GP will be agood source of information about the therapy.

· Know the dangers of each Therapy - a number of therapies have potential problems and you should be informed of these by your therapist.

· Seek evidence based assessments of each therapy - look for research which scientifically evaluates thru clinical trials the acuracy of any claims about cure success rates.

· Limit your treatment - make sure that you do not become a victim of therapists who try to extend treatment beyond that which is adding real benefit

· Look for a patients charter if there is one - some surgry / clinics publish a patients charter which explains your rights and sets your expectations.

· Check the clinics and therapists qualifications - this should be readily available. Some associations provide a tool on their websites to let you check that the therapist is actually qualified.

· Avoid therapies or clinics that purport to be panacea, a cure all - clinics that offer a range of herapies are more likley to have accepted that one therapy alone will not cure all ills.

· Therapy associations - know what to expect from them

· Ensure your therapist conforms to the NICE guidelines: http://www.nice.org.uk/

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