blood or skin allergy testing?? - Allergies Message Board

artbuggy3 · 04-26-2004, 06:04 PM

My doctor has come to the conclusion that my problems are allergy related (breathing problems, constant ear infections, sinus pressure, sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat and nose, ect.) She wants to do blood allergy testing (if thats what you call it lol) I have heard mixed answers to which is better for acurate answers the blood or the skin testing. Any comments would be great??

GettingWellAgain · 04-26-2004, 07:05 PM

I was actually wondering the same thing. I've heard of the skin testing, and blood testing by either a RAST or ELISA test and I'm not sure which is better. I'm also curious as to whether a regular allergist does this or if I would have to go to a naturopath or other doctor.

Crossbow · 04-26-2004, 07:21 PM

My allergist did about 100 skin tests on me, then did blood tests on the 3 that had the most reaction, so he seemed to think the blood tests were more definite.

Danitom · 04-27-2004, 08:14 AM

I am not sure which is more accurate but you may want to make sure your insurance covers both. Mine would NOT cover blood allergy testing (which was MUCH more expensive than skin tests)

crowgirl · 04-28-2004, 04:35 AM

My allergy specialists keep telling me that skin tests on their own don't confirm an allergy, but merely indicate it (the reliability of those tests is apparently not 100%). I think they once said something similar about RAST tests. Therefore, they say that they always look for several positives (i.e. skin and blood, skin and provocation/elimination etc.) before they confirm any particular allergy.

HTH!