How to Test for Dander Allergies

If you just purchased or adopted a new pet and are starting to experience allergies, you may be allergic to pet dander. Dander is made up of the particles shed from the skin and coats of animals that can collect in the air or on surfaces in your home, such as the rug or on furniture. If you don't have a pet but are considering getting one, then you may want to test for dander allergies first to ensure your new pet won't give you an adverse reaction.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Blood test
• Scratch test
• Intradermal test

1. Make an appointment with your doctor for a simple physical examination. If at all possible, try to schedule an exam during an episode in which your allergies are acting up, so that your doctor can see a more prevalent form of your reaction.

2. Have your doctor perform a blood test to determine the severity of your dander allergy. A blood test is incredibly accurate and is capable of pinpointing what specific dander triggers are affecting you, as well as the severity level of your allergies. A blood test can typically take a few days to garner results.

3. Submit to a intradermal test for you dander allergies. An intradermal test is similar to a tuberculosis test, and involves a small amount of the allergen being injected just under your skin. Your skin's reaction to the allergen can give important data about the specific allergens you are susceptible to and how allergic you are to them.

4. Receive a scratch test form your doctor. A scratch test is similar to an intradermal test in that it checks your skin for reactions to applied allergens, but does not require an injection of known allergens beneath the skin. Therefore, it is far less invasive. A scratch test still yields important results for your doctor.

Tips & Warnings

• Have your doctor test to see whether you are allergic to specific animals. For most people, dogs do not cause dander allergies, whereas 15 percent of people report allergies to cat dander. Some dogs, like labradoodles are known to have hypoallergenic fur, for example.
• Once you test for dander allergies and it comes to light that you may have a severe allergy, the unfortunate reality is that you should probably find a new home for your pet. Your severe allergy can become life threatening if left untreated.

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Resources

• Testing and diagnosis information from WebMD.com