Allergy Paracetamol Fluorescence Assay Skin
What is this test?
Allergy paracetamol skin test is used to test the sensitization of your skin to the paracetamol. This test helps in knowing the immune response to the paracetamol. In this test, your skin is slightly pricked and introduced to the paracetamol.
What is paracetamol allergy?
Paracetamol is also known as acetaminophen. It belongs to the class Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It is used as a pain killer to relieve mild to moderate pain, such as headache, body pains, muscle cramps, sprains, toothache, etc. It is available as tablets, capsules, liquids, soluble tablets, injections, suppositories, etc. Paracetamol is usually combined with other ingredients. This may be available in various brands and names. Paracetamol allergy may happen when the immune system mistakes the contents in the paracetamol 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 paracetamol 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 paracetamol 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 to breathe, 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 paracetamol. This test may be recommended to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment given for the paracetamol allergy.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Allergy Paracetamol Fluorescence Assay Skin. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Allergy Paracetamol Fluorescence Assay Skin.
No specific preparation is required for this test.
Understanding your test results
After getting exposed to paracetamol if you develop hives, which are raised bumps at the test location that are at least 3mm in size may indicate that you have an allergy to paracetamol.
If there is no reaction or hives present on the skin after getting exposed to the paracetamol then it may indicate that you are not allergic to paracetamol.
| 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 |