What is the difference between a prick skin test and a blood test or RAST test?
The prick skin test or a blood test, such as the RAST (or radioallergosorbent test), is commonly used to begin to determine if an allergy exists. The RAST can sometimes be called the CAP-RAST or ImmunoCap test. A prick skin test is usually cheaper and can be done in the doctor’s office. The doctor places a drop of the substance being tested on the patients’ forearm or back and pricks the skin with a needle, allowing a tiny amount to enter the skin. If the patient is allergic to the substance, a wheal (mosquito bite-like bump) will form at the site within about 15 minutes. A RAST test requires a blood sample. The sample is sent to a medical laboratory where tests are done with specific foods to determine whether the patient has IgE antibodies to that food. The results are usually received within one week.
…Another method of testing for food allergies is the RAST (radioallergeosorbent) test. This measures food-specific IgE in a blood sample. …The advantages of the ELISA test is that it can test for 190 food allergies by drawing just a little bit of blood and costs only $140. …If done properly, the Elisa food allergy test is a sensitive and accurate blood test for food allergies. A small amount of blood is drawn and analyzed for …A blood test to identify elevated antibody levels (particularly IgE) can confirm that you have an allergy. The food causing the allergy can sometimes be …In certain cases, such as severe eczema all over the body, an allergy skin test cannot be done. Your doctor may recommend a food RAST blood test to obtain …Many dubious practitioners claim that food allergies may be responsible … The ALCAT test: A simple blood test for food and chemical sensitivities (Flyer). …Food Allergy – The Great Plains Laboratory offers Food Allergy Testing and … Blood te
