The human body is comprised of a number of systems. All of these systems are designed to keep the body healthy and maintain full functonality.
For example the skin has many functions. One of the major functions is to provide covering for the body. Specifically, the skin protects the inward parts of the body from the elements and attacks from bacteria. In addition, the skin helps to maintain the body’s temperature.
However, there are ailments that can compromise the skin’s ability to function normally. One of those ailments can be a skin allergy.
Therefore, if one thinks that they may suffer from a skin allergy it is important to know a number of things. Two of those pieces of knowledge include knowing what a skin allergy is and undergoing an allergy skin test.
What Is A Skin Allergy?
A skin allergy begins when a foreign substance comes in contact with the skin. In turn, the immune system begins to respond. Often this response, by the immune system, is an over reaction by this particular system within the body.
Subsequently, this overreaction of the immune system secretes a substance known as an antigen. In addition, the substance known as histamine is secreted as well. In turn, this histamine attaches itself to the foreign substance in an effort to fight or ward off this perceived threat to the body. However, this process and a skin allergy are often caused by a non-threatening type of substance. Some of those types of substances could include the pet dander, pollen, dust, etc.
Additionally, the skin responds with a number of symptoms when this skin allergy process takes place. Some of those symptoms could include skin allergy itching, redness of the skin, blistering, scaling, etc.
What Is An Allergy Skin Test?
Before the treatment plan is prescribed by a Physician, often the attending Doctor wants to know what is causing this skin allergy. Therefore, often the doctor will order an allergy skin test.
This testing can be done in a number of ways. Two of the most common ways to conduct an allergy skin test include the use of a needle and the use of a patch.
If the Allergist uses a needle, the process includes the use of a small needle. On the head of this small needle is a minuscule sample of a particular substance that the specialist will test on the patient’s skin to see if there is a corresponding allergic reaction. Often this process is repeated using different substances to test for various allergies.
The other common type of allergy skin test is through the use of a patch. This small patch is treated with a common substance and then applied to the patient’s skin. If there is a corresponding reaction then the Allergist knows that this may be one of possibly many substances that the individual is allergic to.