Adding Up The Cost Of
Allergy Testing
For individuals who suffer seasonal or
recurring reactions to various trigger substances, allergy testing can be a
crucial and necessary step toward receiving proper treatment. Of course,
this kind of testing doesn’t come without a price and with finances tight
for so many people, that cost may sometimes be prohibitive.
The good news is that most testing of this sort is usually covered by health
insurance, helping to keep costs manageable. Even for patients not covered
by insurance, there may be discounts available as many doctors charge less
to patents who pay by cash or credit card. The important point to remember
is that you should never have to suffer needlessly with runny nose,
wheezing, cough or other symptoms simply because of money troubles.
There are two main types of allergy testing…skin prick tests and blood
tests. Each has its limitations and may not be appropriate for every
individual, but under the right circumstances either one can be a good tool
for diagnosing allergies and their specific triggers. The cost of each test
can vary depending on how many specific triggers are being isolated.
A skin prick test involves the use of a series of tiny injections either on
the surface of the skin or directly into the system. Since this type of test
exposes the patient to possible allergens, it can be dangerous for those
with severe allergic reactions. It can also be counterproductive for
patients with skin disorders like eczema that can mask the results.
In most cases, skin prick tests range anywhere from $60 to as much as $300
depending on how many specific triggers are being tested for. For
individuals who can tolerate a skin prick test it is usually quick and the
results can be determined visually within a few minutes as the skin reacts.
A blood test, as the name implies, involves drawing blood and testing it to
determine if the individual carries certain specific antibodies that make
them susceptible to allergic reaction. It takes longer, sometimes up to
seven days, to get results but since there is no direct exposure to possible
triggers it is far less likely to cause complications.
Blood tests do tend to be more expensive, however, generally ranging from
$200 to $1,000, again depending on how many specific triggers are being
isolated. Blood testing is also safer for individuals who are taking
medications, so if you have another condition that requires you to take
medicine you may want to consider going this route despite the increased
cost.
While the cost of testing may seem daunting, it is always better to
determine exactly what you are dealing with so that you can properly treat
it. The cost of treating your symptoms if you opt to play a guessing game
can get far higher than the one time cost of testing, so it is well worth
the investment to get tested and set your mind at ease.
Wishing you the best of health
The Allergy Store
