What You Need To Know About Allergy Testing

Do you sneeze randomly? Does your nose run constantly, and your eyes water often? If so, there is a chance that your immune system, could be reacting to symptoms of allergians.

According to Medline Plus, “an allergy is a reaction by your immune system to something that does not bother most other people.” To identify specific triggers and to determine the treatment, your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and daily routines.

Allergies can range from minor to severe and finding out what you are allergic to, is an important first step to effective allergy treatment. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, “people who have allergies often are sensitive to more than one thing.” Combining a comprehensive medical report with an allergy test can identify specific elements that trigger your allergic reactions.

How does an allergy test work?

Allergy testing is performed by drawing blood or through examining the skin.

For a skin test, a small amount of a suspected allergen is placed on or below the skin to see if a reaction develops.
Allergy tests done by blood inspect for substances in the blood called antibodies.

Is it covered by your health insurance?

If you’re a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan or Blue Care Network member, you can log into bcbsm.com to see what’s covered by your plan. You can also use bcbsm.com to check your claims details and history, and find a doctor that’s in your health plan’s network.

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For more health insurance tips visit bcbsm.com/101 or follow the hashtag #Covered101 on our social channels. If you have a specific question, please submit your query online through our Customer Action Center.

Photo Credit: James Ramspott

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