PDF: All about Allergy, Diagnosis of Allergy

All about Allergy, Diagnosis of Allergy

November 23rd, 2008 by admin | Filed under Allergies

The symptoms of allergic diseases can give a strong advice that the person is indeed suffering from allergies. However, in most cases, different tests are needed to confirm a diagnosis. Proof depends on the type of allergic disease in question.

Atopic Dermatitis
There is no laboratory test that can be used to diagnose atopic dermatitis. Instead, a physician must examine a patient and review the history of her symptoms.

There are three criteria that must be present in order to diagnose atopic dermatitis:
• Allergies — The person must have allergies (at least one positive skin test) and/or a family history of allergic diseases in close relatives. There may be rare cases in which a person has atopic dermatitis without evidence of allergies.
• Itching — The patient must have itching and scratching in order for the rash to occur. If the skin or areas of the rash do not itch or have not been scratched, then the person does not have atopic dermatitis.
• Eczema — Eczema refers to the appearance of the rash in patients with atopic dermatitis; it also occurs in those with other skin diseases. The rash appears red, with small blisters or bumps. These may ooze or flake with further scratching. Over the long-term, the skin appears thickened and leathery.

In most cases, people with atopic dermatitis should have skin testing performed to aeroallergens (pollens, molds, pet dander and dust mite) as well as to common food allergens. Avoiding allergic triggers is an important step in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Food Allergies
The diagnosis of food allergies is typical when symptoms occur after eating a specific food and a patient receives a positive result after undergoing a test of food allergy in question. Testing for the anti-allergic is best achieved with the skin test, although it can be done with a blood test too.

The blood test, called RAST, is not so much an essay test of the skin, but can be useful for predicting whether a person has passed a food allergy. This is especially true given that in many cases, the test will be positive for children who have overcome food allergies.

If the diagnosis of food allergy is involved, despite evidence of an allergist may decide to make an oral food challenge. This is a person who eats food increasingly suspect, for long hours under close medical supervision. Given the potential life-threatening allergic reactions, such a procedure must be performed by a physician experienced in diagnosing and treating allergic diseases.

Nasal Allergies
In many cases, allergic rhinitis is diagnosed when a person has convincing symptoms and physical exam findings consistent with this disease. However, in order for allergic rhinitis to be properly diagnosed, allergy testing is needed. Positive allergy tests are required to diagnose allergic rhinitis; negative allergy testing suggests non-allergic rhinitis. While allergy testing can be accomplished with skin testing or blood tests (RAST), skin testing is still the preferred method of testing.

Asthma
The diagnosis of asthma is suggested by the presence of symptoms of asthma, however, spirometry is needed to make a firm diagnosis. Spirometry can be easily done in people 5 and older. You can show a specific pattern in a person with asthma, which can make the diagnosis more specific. For example, someone with asthma may show a certain increase in lung function after using a bronchodilator, such as Albuterol.

If the diagnosis of asthma is still in question, despite perform spirometry, asthma specialists can perform additional tests to determine whether a person has asthma. These include bronchoprovocation (causing a decline in lung function with the inhalation of certain chemicals, such as methacholine) and measurements of markers of inflammation in exhaled air, sputum, urine and blood.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this site is for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for personal care by a licensed physician. Please see your physician for diagnosis and treatment of any concerning symptoms or medical condition.

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<h2>All about Allergy, Diagnosis of Allergy</h2>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The symptoms of allergic diseases can give a strong advice that the person is indeed suffering from <a title="allergies" href="http://911medicalcare.com/healthcare/allergies/">allergies</a>. However, in most cases, different tests are needed to confirm a diagnosis. Proof depends on the type of allergic disease in question.
<p style="text-align: justify;">Atopic Dermatitis 
There is no laboratory test that can be used to diagnose atopic dermatitis. Instead, a physician must examine a patient and review the history of her symptoms.
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span id="more-154">There are three criteria that must be present in order to diagnose atopic dermatitis: 
•	Allergies – The person must have allergies (at least one positive skin test) and/or a family history of allergic diseases in close relatives. There may be rare cases in which a person has atopic dermatitis without evidence of allergies. 
•	Itching – The patient must have itching and scratching in order for the rash to occur. If the skin or areas of the rash do not itch or have not been scratched, then the person does not have atopic dermatitis. 
•	Eczema – Eczema refers to the appearance of the rash in patients with atopic dermatitis; it also occurs in those with other skin diseases. The rash appears red, with small blisters or bumps. These may ooze or flake with further scratching. Over the long-term, the skin appears thickened and leathery.
<p style="text-align: justify;">In most cases, people with atopic dermatitis should have skin testing performed to aeroallergens (pollens, molds, pet dander and dust mite) as well as to common food allergens. Avoiding allergic triggers is an important step in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
<p style="text-align: justify;">Food Allergies 
The diagnosis of food allergies is typical when symptoms occur after eating a specific food and a patient receives a positive result after undergoing a test of food allergy in question. Testing for the anti-allergic is best achieved with the skin test, although it can be done with a blood test too.
<p style="text-align: justify;">The blood test, called RAST, is not so much an essay test of the skin, but can be useful for predicting whether a person has passed a food allergy. This is especially true given that in many cases, the test will be positive for children who have overcome food allergies.
<p style="text-align: justify;">If the diagnosis of food allergy is involved, despite evidence of an allergist may decide to make an oral food challenge. This is a person who eats food increasingly suspect, for long hours under close medical supervision. Given the potential life-threatening allergic reactions, such a procedure must be performed by a physician experienced in diagnosing and treating allergic diseases.
<p style="text-align: justify;">Nasal Allergies 
In many cases, allergic rhinitis is diagnosed when a person has convincing symptoms and physical exam findings consistent with this disease. However, in order for allergic rhinitis to be properly diagnosed, allergy testing is needed. Positive allergy tests are required to diagnose allergic rhinitis; negative allergy testing suggests non-allergic rhinitis. While allergy testing can be accomplished with skin testing or blood tests (RAST), skin testing is still the preferred method of testing.
<p style="text-align: justify;"><a title="Asthma" href="http://911medicalcare.com/healthcare/asthma/">Asthma</a> 
The diagnosis of asthma is suggested by the presence of symptoms of asthma, however, spirometry is needed to make a firm diagnosis. Spirometry can be easily done in people 5 and older. You can show a specific pattern in a person with asthma, which can make the diagnosis more specific. For example, someone with asthma may show a certain increase in lung function after using a bronchodilator, such as Albuterol.
<p style="text-align: justify;">If the diagnosis of asthma is still in question, despite perform spirometry, asthma specialists can perform additional tests to determine whether a person has asthma. These include <a title="bronchoprovocation" href="http://911medicalcare.com/medicalcare/bronchoprovocation/">bronchoprovocation</a> (causing a decline in lung function with the inhalation of certain chemicals, such as methacholine) and measurements of markers of inflammation in exhaled air, sputum, urine and blood.
<p style="text-align: justify;">DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this site is for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for personal care by a licensed physician. Please see your physician for diagnosis and treatment of any concerning symptoms or medical condition.
<p style="text-align: justify;">allergies, food allergies, allergy, allergy research, allergy dogs, dog allergies, food allergy, wheat allergy, gluten allergy, allergy symptoms, peanut allergy, latex allergy, dog food allergies, allergy relief <a href="http://www.socialmarker.com/?link=http://911medicalcare.com/allergies/all-about-allergy-diagnosis-of-allergy/&title=All+about+Allergy%2C+Diagnosis+of+Allergy&text=...&tags=" target="_blank"><img src= "http://www.socialmarker.com/bookmark.gif" border="0" /></a><noscript><a href="http://www.socialmarker.com" >Social Bookmarking</a></noscript>
The article <a href="http://911medicalcare.com/allergies/all-about-allergy-diagnosis-of-allergy/">All about Allergy, Diagnosis of Allergy</a> is provided by <a href="http://911medicalcare.com" title="Manual Nurse and health Guidelines"> Manual Nurse and Health Guidelines</a>. The article from<a href="http://911medicalcare.com" title="Medical"> Medical</a> site is freely distributed for non-commercial purposes to include the source for the article and does not alter the content.

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