Allergy Inhalant Panel Enzyme Assay Skin
What is this test?
Allergy inhalant panel skin test is used to test the sensitization of your skin to the airborne allergens. This test helps in knowing the immune response to the airborne allergens like dust mites, pet dander, pollens from trees, weeds, grasses, mold spores, etc. In this test, your skin is slightly pricked and introduced to the airborne allergens.
This test detects for seven allergens. They are:
- Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
- Cat dander
- Cat epithelium
- Dog dander
- Horse dander
- Rabbit epithelium
What is an inhalant allergy?
An inhalant allergy is caused due to the exposure of environmental allergens. Some of the inhalant allergies are allergic rhinitis (a runny nose), constant sneezing, asthma, allergic conjunctivitis (watery eyes), atopic dermatitis (itching of the skin), and red eyes with irritation, etc. These are caused by inhaled or airborne allergens. The most common inhalant allergens are dust mites, pet dander, pollens from trees, weeds, grasses, mold spores, etc. Inhalant allergies are the most common problem and most of the people are suffering from inhalant allergies. This inhalant allergies can be seasonal. Pollen is most commonly found in dry, hot and windy weather. The inhalant allergies can be due to indoor sources also, for example, dust mites, cockroaches, pets, etc.
When the body is exposed to an allergen, there will be a chain of reactions occurring in the immune system. This leads to the release of IgE or immunoglobulin E antibodies in the body. Soon after the contact with antigens, your body releases the antibodies to act against these foreign agents. Every time you are exposed to an allergen, a chemical called histamine is released. Histamine is found in various parts of the body like ears, throats, nose, and sinuses, etc. Allergic reactions are produced due to the excess production of histamine.
Why is this test performed?
This allergy inhalant skin test is recommended to you if you experience symptoms like itching and tingling of the mouth, runny nose, constant sneezing, red itchy eyes, watery eyes, rashes, throat tightness, difficulty in breathing, asthma, hives, and eczema, etc This test may also be performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment, if already diagnosed.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Allergy Inhalant Panel Enzyme Assay Skin. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Allergy Inhalant Panel Enzyme Assay Skin.
No specific preparation is required for this allergen inhalant panel skin test.
Understanding your test results
After getting exposed to the airborne allergens, if you develop hives, which are raised bumps at the test location that are at least 3mm of size may indicate that you have the inhalant allergy.
If there is no reaction or hives present on the skin after getting exposed to the airborne allergens then it may indicate that you are not allergic to them.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| UNISEX | All age groups | A wheal and flare reaction of atleast 3mm indicates that the patient is allergic to the substance |