Allergy Lidocaine Enzyme Assay Skin
What is this test?
Allergy Lidocaine skin test is used to test the sensitization of your skin to lidocaine. This test helps in knowing the immune response to the lidocaine. In this test, your skin is slightly pricked and introduced to the lidocaine.
What are lidocaine and lidocaine allergy?
Lidocaine is a medication used on the skin for numbness or loss of sensation in the area where it is applied. Lidocaine belongs to a class of drugs called local anesthetics. It also helps in relieving pain and itching. It is available in various forms like topical jelly, ointment, skin patches, topical solutions, swab, powder, spray, cream, etc. Lidocaine allergy may happen when the immune system mistakes the contents in the lidocaine for a foreign substance. Then the body produces a reaction similar to the one created during an attack of bacteria or virus. The symptoms of lidocaine allergy are swelling of the face, lips, tongue, skin rashes, itching, hives, redness, stomach cramps, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tightening of the chest, throat, etc.
Sometimes the allergic reactions can be life-threatening causing narrowing of the airways, making it difficult to breathe. Very less often lidocaine allergy may cause an anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency condition which leads to facial flushing, itching, shock, sudden fall in blood pressure, constriction of airways, swollen throat, difficulty in breathing, etc.
Why this test is recommended?
This test may be recommended to you if you experience symptoms like swelling of the face, lips, tongue, skin rashes, itching, hives, redness, stomach cramps, abdominal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tightening in the throat, etc immediately after receiving lidocaine. This test may be recommended to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment given for the lidocaine allergy.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Allergy Lidocaine Enzyme Assay Skin. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Allergy Lidocaine Enzyme Assay Skin.
No specific preparation is required for this test.
Understanding your test results
After getting exposed to the lidocaine if you develop hives, which are raised bumps at the test location that are at least 3mm in size it may indicate that you have an allergy to lidocaine.
If there is no reaction or hives present on the skin after getting exposed to the lidocaine then it may indicate that you are not allergic to lidocaine.
| 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 |