How is The Skin Prick Allergy Test Done?

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skin-prick-testingThe theory behind skin prick testing, skin puncture testing and scratch testing is the same though methods very slightly. The most commonly performed is the skin prick test which is relatively pain free and fast. Scratch testing has been losing favor and some patients report more discomfort and scaring from scratch testing compared to skin prick testing.

The Skin Prick Test Done

A very small amount of a possible allergen is placed on a area of the body, usually the forearm or back. The skin is than pricked with a sterile needle point to allow the allergen to enter. The tester notes if the skin begins to react in the form of hives or rash. The size of any outbreak on the skin is also measured.The size helps the allergist or doctor who is performing the test grade the reaction, there are a few different scales used for grading the reactions. Usually many allergens will be tested on the skins surface in a grid that has been marked out on back or forearm.

Negative Control: The power of the mind is so great that the mere mention of a test can cause the skin to react with rashes in some people. For this reason a negative control is used in the test. The negative control can be nothing more than a saline solution. If the skin reacts to the negative control than all results of the skin prick test can be considered suspect.

Positive Control: A positive control like histamines is also used to induce a reaction on the skin.

What Else You Should Know About Skin Prick Testing

Antihistamines should be avoided before the test. Your doctor will tell you the exact period of time you should stop taking them before the scheduled test.

The skin prick test relies a great deal on the qualifications of who interprets and performs the test. Go with the most qualified professional you can find preferably a allergist.

False positives are not uncommon where there is a reaction from a allergen during the test even though the patient experiences no problems with the allergen in normal life.

False negatives also occur even with a allergen the patient is allergic to.

Skin prick testing is considered accurate by many but it will only help diagnose those allergens that produce a IgE antibody response.

Want a Career in Health Care? Respiratory Therapy Might Be Your Best Bet

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Careers in health care require a lot of hard work, but they are rewarding and provide job security. Health is a precious luxury that everyone wants to protect, so there is always a demand for knowledgeable health care professionals. Plus, you learn a lot about your own personal health and how to take proper care of your body.
If you’re not sure which area of health care to enter, you might want to consider respiratory therapy. This specific form of therapy is in high demand due to the abundance of patients who need individualized care. Here’s an overview of the field and what it takes to get your foot in the door as a professional respiratory therapist.

What Is Respiratory Therapy?

Respiratory therapy is administered to patients who suffer from both chronic and acute diseases such as bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, and cancer. Pulmonary physicians diagnose the patients then prescribe a therapy plan. Therapy methods vary based on the patients’ specific needs and can include the use of artificial airways, ventilators, and inhalant medications. Therapy programs can also involve disease management and healthy lifestyle guidance.
Professionals who administer respiratory therapy are responsible for monitoring symptoms, performing diagnostic tests, collaborating with physicians, administering treatment, and teaching patients how to use respiratory devices. Therapists typically work in hospitals or assisted living residences. They can also provide home services for patients with limited mobility or transportation and to help patients develop daily routines to support and mitigate chronic illnesses.

Are There Enough Jobs for Therapists?

The need for respiratory therapists is on the rise as the population of elderly individuals continuously increases. Elderly individuals are more susceptible to respiratory disease, which is one of the major causes of death in the U.S. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that about 8.7 million adults were diagnosed with chronic bronchitis and about 3.4 million adults were diagnosed with emphysema in 2014. There were also 147,101 deaths due to chronic lower respiratory disease in the same year.
As far as employment goes, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 120,700 employed respiratory therapists in 2014 and expects that number to increase by 12 percent through 2024. Health care facilities are in continuous need of respiratory professionals who can administer therapy for a variety pulmonary conditions.

Do Therapists Need a College Degree?

Though some health care facilities accept an associate’s degree, it is wise for an aspiring professional to earn a Bachelor of Science in respiratory therapy. A bachelor’s degree provides a well-rounded learning experience and addresses all the challenges facing graduates of a respiratory therapist school. Students also receive in-depth training on electronic records systems and study the importance of technology in the public health sector. In fact, the field of health information technology is a crucial component of individualized care and global public health, as summarized in this infographic about health IT.

Need More Information?

Check out the prerequisites for entering a program and evaluate whether it makes sense to go full or part time. If you have questions, call the admissions department about tuition, registration dates, and how to apply.

A Guide to Teenage Substance Abuse for Families

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Recent statistics suggest that one in 10 children between the ages of 12 and 17 use illicit drugs, bringing the issue drug abuse to the forefront of concerns for parents, educators, health care professionals and law enforcement. With a host of residential and non-residential programs like those offered by Elevations Health and similar facilities now offering treatment for teenage clients, it is clearer than ever that addiction is no longer a problem that is restricted to adulthood. Parenting a teen who is struggling with drug or alcohol issues can be challenging, but there are several ways to ensure that your son or daughter realizes that you intend to remain loving and supportive as he or she learns to manage life during and after addiction.

While some parents encourage experimentation as their teenagers mature, it may be a better idea to discourage drug or alcohol use at all; similarly, honesty about your own past is important. However, parents who experimented with marijuana or alcohol with few or no undesirable outcomes must share the truth of their pasts without glorifying the activities; cautious truthfulness will remind your child that you are just as imperfect as everyone else without inadvertently suggesting your substance use should be emulated.

The fact that teenagers will do anything to avoid acting like their parents is a common misconception; although your son or daughter may argue that this is untrue, research suggests that teens are looking to their parents to learn how to be adults, handle tough situations and make healthy lifestyle choices. Parents who want children to behave in a certain way must model that type of behavior every single day. For example, if you are trying to send the message that your teen should not smoke marijuana, avoid it yourself.

Substance abuse is a common problem among the mentally ill; self-medicating behaviors often manifest when psychological issues are left untreated. If depression, anxiety or even more serious mental health problems crop up, it is important to heed your child’s complaints and seek appropriate care. Occasionally, teen addiction occurs prior to the manifestation of the symptoms associated with certain psychological issues; in other words, it is possible for experimentation with drugs or alcohol to lead to addiction, and later to depression or anxiety. If you believe this may be the case with your teen, dual diagnosis treatment may be in order.

One common response to learning that your child struggling with addiction is blame. While some parents blame the teen or his or her friends, others turn toward one another to place blame; both are inappropriate. Once your son or daughter is in therapy or another form of treatment for addiction, it is time to put the blame aside and focus on the future. While it is important to understand what factors were involved in a teen’s use, abuse and eventual addiction to any given substance, pulling together as a family and focusing on the future is valuable; simply put, look toward the future instead of peering into the past.

Although it seems to go without saying, monitoring your child’s behavior may lead to earlier intervention in the event of drug use or abuse. While parents should respect their teen’s need for privacy to some extent, watching for changes in eating habits, sleeping patterns and social activities may provide insight to those who suspect that their child has been using drugs or alcohol. In fact, an upset in a youngster’s normal routine is one of the times that parents should pay the most attention; changing schools, breaking up with a significant other or even academic struggles are all forms of stress that may cause teens to begin experimenting with drugs or alcohol or even increase use among those who have already moved beyond the experimentation phase.

If you are a parent who suspects that your teen may be abusing substances, consider seeking assistance from a qualified therapist. Those who are concerned that their child has formed an addiction to illicit or prescription drugs or alcohol may find that reaching out to a rehabilitative program is an option for their family. From outpatient care that operates on a one-on-one basis to residential programs that place teens in a highly therapeutic environment with others experiencing the same problems, plenty of treatment options exist. If your family is facing addition in a teenager, remain open with your child, seek help early and encourage openness and honesty for every member of the household.

Egg Allergies: what you need to know?

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egg-allergiesEggs allergies rank near the top in terms of which food allergies are the most common. One of the reason for this is unfortunately the fact that eggs contain so many different healthy proteins. The many different proteins also make it difficult to figure out which protein is responsible for causing egg allergy symptoms. Like most food allergies children are the most at risk to suffering from egg allergy symptoms although many will out grow their egg allergies.

There are varying degrees of egg allergies and some people with them will be able to tolerate eggs in different states. The reason for this is because cooking the eggs changes it molecular structure, and the longer it is cooked the more the structure is changed and this will eliminate some of the proteins. For this reason some people may find that they are able to tolerate hard boiled eggs but not soft boiled. If you are allergic to eggs you should however not test if you are allergic to eggs in various cooked states with out proper medical supervision. Both the yolk and egg white contain different proteins so most people will be allergic to either egg whites or yolks but not both. Unfortunately separating the egg yolk from the egg white is not really possible as small amounts will be  left on the yolk so in many cases even people allergic to only egg whites will need to avoid egg yolks as well

Avoiding Eggs

Eliminating eggs from the diet is not as easy as skipping them at breakfast as eggs are found in everything from pastas to dessert toppings. Baking is a little easier as egg replacers can be found in most local grocery stores and depending on the eggs purpose (liquid,binder or agent) in a recipe substitution can be made in recipes with a little experimentation. Many grocery stores now care specialty line for allergy sufferers making it more easy to buy egg free goods that typically contain eggs.

Egg Allergy Symptoms

Egg Allergy Symptoms can occur minutes after eating them or may take several hours to occur.

Stomach problem like gas or upset stomach are common as well as diarrhea.

Skin problems like eczema are one of the more noticeable problems in small children. Hives and other rashes may also appear.

Asthma attacks and breathing problems may also result from egg allergies.

Anaphylactic shock is the most serious and requires immediate medical attention. During anaphylactic shock mouth and throat swell and breathing becomes very difficult.