Allergy tests

The aim of allergy testing is to detect the allergens responsible for the development of clinical symptoms. This allows, in part, the extension of clinical diagnosis, but above all the selection of an appropriate desensitisation method.

Allergies have become commonplace and are something that we are all aware of. Most people suffer from some sort of symptoms, which are usually attributed to the effects of allergens. If they become too annoying, then we go to the doctor. We are increasingly performing tests to check our body’s sensitivity to particular substances. And there are more and more of them. On top of that, they not only affect us humans, but also our animals. And as is usually the case with other conditions whose symptoms are not apparent at first glance, we are inclined to suspect allergies more quickly in ourselves than in animals. Observing any, even the tiniest pimples on our skin, we are inclined to think of an allergy. What about dogs? If a dog scratches himself, for example, because something itches, we usually think of fleas or other insects. But it might as well be a symptom of allergies. The absence of such a reaction in the animal certainly indicates that it does not feel itchy. But that still doesn’t mean it isn’t allergic to some substance. And we never know when they will occur in our pet’s immediate environment triggering an acute immune response. The matter is not as simple as it seems on the surface: the action of the substance and the immediate effect – an allergic reaction on the skin. The animal starts to react by scratching the itch when the allergens to which its body is sensitive are added together.

Sometimes the presence of one in the immediate area is sufficient, but in most cases several must be present. After crossing the threshold of itching the animal begins to scratch. This can be observed in the graph above. Azor is more sensitive to flea allergens than Zapa, but it is Zapa that shows signs of itching because she is additionally sensitive to grass pollen and dust. The sum of the interactions of these allergens exceeds her itch threshold (40 points).

Intradermal testing is therefore worthwhile. Excluding even one of the allergens from the environment can stop the itching and the animal will stop scratching. And prolonged scratching always results in scratching wounds, infections and resulting illnesses.

At the KUROSZ Clinic we perform tests covering the following allergens:

• Pollen mixture of the grasses Fagus sp.
• Poa sp., Phleum, Festuca Cortylus sp.
• Dactylis glamerata Alternaria, Aspergillus
• Lollium perenne Cladosporium, Penicilium
• Mixed Ambrosia Fleas (Ctenocephalides felis)
• Artemisia vulgaris Dermatophagiodes farinae
• Plantago lanceolata Dermatophagiodes pteronyssinus
• Urtica sp. Tyrophagus putrescentiae
• Betula sp. Acarus siro
• Salix sp. Lepidoglyphus destructor

We also perform tests for food allergies.