Rast Allergy Test

Avoiding allergen triggers is one of the best ways to reduce your allergic symptoms. Avoidance is not always possible, but by finding out what you are reacting to, you’ll have more control over prevention. There are a range of tests that can be done to pinpoint your allergens. Rast allergy test is one method to find out.

RAST test (radioallergosorbent test) is done as a blood test to determine what substances a person is allergic to. It is ordered when a person has signs or symptoms that suggest an allergy to one or more substances including red itchy eyes, coughing, eczema, sneezing and what causes asthma.

A sample of your blood serum is exposed to a small disk to which the test allergen has been attached. If you are allergic, your IgE (immunoglobin E) antibodies will attach to the allergen in the disk. The RAST test is scored on a scale of 0 (absent or undetectable allergen specific IgE) to 6 (extremely high level of allergen specific IgE).

This is different from a skin prick allergy test, which determines allergy by the reaction of your skin to different substances. For example, if you exhibit a high level of IgE directed against pollen, the test may indicate you are allergic to pollen (or pollen-like) proteins. A person who has outgrown an allergy may still have a positive IgE years after exposure.

If your RAST allergy test is returned negative, but you are still experiencing symptoms, you could have a genetic hypersensitivity problem or have an enzyme deficiency. It could also be an allergy-like condition or another disease that is causing allergy-like symptoms. It is important to investigate your individual situation before coming to conclusions.

One of the main advantages of a RAST test is that it can be used on children, people with extensive eczema or dermatitis in place of a skin prick test which may be too painful and traumatic. Another advantage is it can be used at the same time as antihistamine treatment.

Disadvantages of the RAST test include a positive response to an allergen indicating only a potential allergic reaction that may not be the cause of your symptoms and it is much more expensive than a skin test. The results are not immediately available and the RAST test may produce negative results for drugs or insect venom when in fact an allergy exists.

If you have dust mites allergy, dust mite control is essential. Similarly, if you are allergic to pet hair, remove the cause, reduce the risk and the symptoms.

As part of a comprehensive allergy and asthma natural treatment strategy, use dust mite bedding to prevent exposure to house dust mites while your children and family sleep. Mould removal can stop coughing and provide welcome relief.

Avoid using toxic dust mite spray and use mattress cleaning professionals, Mitey Fresh, who understand dust mites and the environment they live in. Decrease humidity with a dehumidifier hire and reduce dust mites and their allergens in the home.

Cover mattresses with specifically designed and made dust mites mattress protectors, providing welcome relief from dust mite allergy symptoms such as coughing and runny nose.

A RAST allergy test may assist as a basis to find out what triggers are present in some cases but seeing your health professional may be more satisfactory for others.

Click here to see our range of dust mite covers.