2024-03-26 23:00:00
The assessment of respiratory allergies has been completely transformed in recent years, eliminating old examinations that have become obsolete and replacing them with others that are more precise and much more sensitive. We take stock.
The assessment of respiratory allergy, or allergy to pneumallergens, is based on two types of tests: blood tests and skin tests. Many exams have been more or less abandoned in favor of new, more efficient tests.
IgE, specific IgE, Phadiatop®: blood tests to choose on a case-by-case basis
If blood tests have long been recommended as first intention, now, as Health Insurance explains, they are only carried out when the results of skin tests are not conclusive or when skin tests are not feasible:
The NFS (blood count) was previously often recommended but this examination is now abandoned, other pathologies may be at the origin of its results. It consisted of measuring the number of eosinophils (a particular type of white blood cell). A level greater than 400 per mm3 was considered suggestive of allergy. The blood dosage of Total IgE (Immunoglobulins E)is no longer reserved for a few specific situations because they are only increased in 70% of allergy sufferers and are not very specific either. The blood dosage of Specific IgE: these blood tests are reserved for doubtful situations when the clinical signs and the results of skin tests are discordant or when skin tests are impossible (pregnancy, taking a beta blocker, etc.). Laboratories currently have around a hundred respiratory allergens that can be tested. But the sensitivity of these assays seems less important than that of skin tests (see below). In addition, they are more expensive and only 5 are now authorized to be carried out for reimbursement… compared to 20 for skin tests.
Read also Seasonal allergies, hay fever: use (essential) oil
Phadiatop®: the blood test to carry out first to find out if you are allergic
THE global response multiallergenic blood tests, such as Phadiatop®, look for the presence of specific IgE in a mixture of allergens. These tests having, generally speaking, a good sensitivity and reliability, they undoubtedly constitute front line exams in case of symptoms suggestive of allergy.
Allowing you to detect whether or not you suffer from a respiratory allergy, Phadiatop® does not, however, allow you to precisely detect the allergen in question.
Please note: This test can generate rare false negatives when the responsible allergen is not one of the usual allergens.
Finally, the multiallergic blood tests with identification of allergens allowdirect towards certain allergens but are quite difficult to interpret.
Read also Asthma: homeopathy has its say
Read also Food allergies and rhinitis in children: prevent them naturally with probiotics and omega-3
Skin tests: prick tests, quick and reliable
Used to make the diagnosis when the allergy is doubtfulor, when the allergy is established, they will determine the allergen(s) responsible. The allergist will choose the allergens to look for based on the person’s history and the symptoms presented, or even the results of the blood tests. Because it is not a question of testing all pneumallergens.
The iskin reactions (IDR), which consist of injecting allergens under the skin and observing the skin reaction, are practically no longer used today. They were replaced by :
THE pricks tests (or “prick tests”, in French) are effective, safe and easy to perform. They consist of carrying out a small prick in the middle of a drop of allergen deposited on the skin, usually on the front of the forearm or on the back. The result (reaction or not on the skin) is read within 20 minutes. This exam has excellent sensitivity: more than 95%. Advantage: Around twenty of these tests can be carried out during the same session.
The person thus tested does not run no risk and no anaphylactic shock is to be feared.
The diagnostic journey from doctor to allergist
The assessment of respiratory allergies is now extremely simple. When a person presents signs suggestive of air allergy, the doctor, to confirm his diagnosis, requests a global response multiallergic test such as Phadiatop.
positive, presence of allergy; negative, absence of allergy.
He then refers the person to the allergist in two circumstances:
In the event of a positive result for Phadiatop, search for the allergens in question. If in doubt regarding the diagnosis of allergy, if the symptoms are suggestive of allergy while Phadiatop is negative, look for reactions to less usual allergens.
Blackcurrant, quercetin, perilla oil: natural solutions for respiratory allergies
Here are some natural solutions that have been proven to effectively combat the symptoms of respiratory allergies:
Blackcurrant: anti-inflammatory star
In gemmotherapythe cashier (Ribes nigrum) acts on liver detoxification, nasal inflammation and allergic reaction. Studies show its natural anti-inflammatory action which helps fight the symptoms of asthma, chronic bronchitis or allergic rhinitis1. It is recommended to carry out courses of 1 to 3 weeks ranging from 5 drops per day at the beginning to ending with 15.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids omega 3 (perilla oil) are recommended for their anti-inflammatory action. Finally, we must of course point out THE natural desensitization remedy in cases of allergies (respiratory and digestive): quercetina flavonoid found naturally in capers, red onion, apples or grapes.
To discover other natural solutions to the symptoms of respiratory allergies, read our articles:
“Seasonal allergies, hay fever: use (essential) oil”
“Therapeutic Information Sheet: seasonal allergies”
“Hay fever, what natural treatments? »
“Treating asthma, with or without medication”
“Gesret method: asthma and allergies out of breath”
Read also New allergies, how to recognize them? How to fight them? (Dr Catherine Quéquet)
Read also Prepare your body and mind for the change of season
Under no circumstances can the information and advice offered on the Alternative Santé site replace a consultation or diagnosis made by a doctor or health professional, the only ones able to adequately assess your state of health.
1712707501
#tests #blood #skin #diagnosed
