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What is the difference between skin testing and RAST testing (blood tests) for allergies?

April 26, 2017allergies blood difference RAST skin Testing tests

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What is the difference between skin testing and RAST testing (blood tests) for allergies?

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Skin testing for allergies offers immediate results which are clearly visible on the skin within minutes. Blood tests for allergies, often called RAST or ImmunoCap RAST, provide only the level of antibody to a given allergen in someone’s blood, which may or may not translate to real symptoms. It is generally reserved for patients unable to stop antihistamines or patients who cannot be skin tested.