Types of Blood test in Allergies condition

Blood tests are sometimes performed to find out what triggers an allergic reaction. Blood tests are often used if patients have a skin condition or are taking medications, such as antihistamines, that could interfere with an allergy skin test, the most common test used to identify allergy triggers.

The radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test are two types of blood tests used to diagnose allergies. In both, a small amount of blood is taken from the allergy sufferer and analyzed for antibodies. High levels of antibodies in the blood indicate an allergic reaction.

These blood tests are not as effective as skin testing and tend to be somewhat more expensive, but can be useful in some situations.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine.

Edited by Charlotte E. Grayson, MD, Feb. 2004, WebMD.

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