Allergy Symptoms But Test Negative For Allergies | Allergy

Allergy Symptoms But Test Negative For Allergies

by Allergy Guy

Allergy symptoms are not always verified with allergy tests.

How can this be?

There are a number of possible reasons.

Allergy tests are not 100% accurate. You may get a false positive or a false negative.

A false positive is when the allergy test shows that you are allergic to something when you are not. This may cause you to needlessly avoid certain things to avoid allergy problems.

A false negative is worse. It can mislead you into thinking that you are OK with something when it actually cases allergy symptoms.

If you are tested for an allergen and get a negative result, there is a chance that you are still allergic to it.

Use allergy tests as a guide. If your doctor says you are, or are not allergic to something, do not take this as 100% fact.

Another reason you may have allergy symptoms but negative allergy test results is that you may not have been tested for the allergen that is actually causing your allergy symptoms.

It would be impractical to test you for every possible allergen. Tests are for the most common allergens. You may have an allergy to a less common allergen.


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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Karen December 1, 2015 at 16:54

I suspect I am allergic to my dogs dander. He has very dry skin and his dander is all over the house. When I get near him or if I’m just in the same room with him I start itching all over, especially on my face. I’ve done all the basic tests. Skin prick, blood test, and skin patch. All the results were negative. Since my tests came back negative the Doctors I’ve seen will only prescribe nose sprays and recommend over the counter antihistamines such as Benadryl. This has been going on for a couple of years now, and is affecting my quality of life. I can’t keep taking over the counter medication because at some point I will start getting deminishing returns. Which is already starting to happen to some degree. Is there a specialist that can help people with challenging cases such as mine?

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2 Allergy Guy January 16, 2016 at 21:41

A doctor who practices environmental medicine might help. Also a visit to the vet to see if there is a way to reduce your dog’s dander, can’t be too nice for the dog. If you live in a dry environment, a humidifier might help the dog and reduce dander.

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3 Jessica June 20, 2014 at 10:04

My son has had major reactions around peanuts. I took him to the allergist and they tested him for walnuts and almonds, milk eggs and wheat because those were other common problems in people. two of the five rows swelled with redness. some less than others and even the saline turned red but did not swell. the guy swore to me that he has Dermatographic urticarial but I saw a difference in the bumps on his back and I have seen it in person. The man actually said go feed him a peanut butter sandwich and see what happens!!!have you ever heard of a diagnosis. He doesn’t get rashes or hives except when he is around or has eat certain things. its not like he bumps into a table and breaks out in hives. I think he is way off.

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4 Allergy Guy June 22, 2014 at 17:02

Allergy tests can be a useful guide, especially in uncovering foods that you may not have thought were a problem (try cutting them out and see if there is an improvement). However, these tests aren’t bullet-proof by any means. If your son reacts to peanuts then you don’t need a test to tell you this. You should try taking him off any of the other foods he reacted too and see if there is a difference, then reintroduce them after some time and see if there is a problem. That approach, if done properly, is the most accurate. See Self-Testing for Food Allergies

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5 rebecca o November 27, 2012 at 01:19

How is a self allergy test accurate?what do u eat while doing the test if eating other foods that aren’t on the most common food list can cause allergy and food intolerance so how can a person get truely accurate results.u may want to list broccoli,eggplant,olives,mushrooms to that list of common foods that can trigger allergic reactions due to the natural chemicals those foods produce after consumed.I. have eaten chicken and rice for five months due to unknown allergies.I. introduce one vegi like romain lettuce and eat small amount wait three days repeat for a week then if no reaction pick another vegi from hypo allergenic food list and repeat.hypo allergenic does not mean u can’t have an allergy just less likely to cause. One.warning do not eat foods that are known to cause anaphalaxis doing so may be fatal and can occure within three to ten minutes after ingestion and or exposure.

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6 T.M. November 27, 2012 at 14:26

I get anaphylaxis 8 hours after I consume what I am allergic to. Your best bet is maybe a blood test to check what you react to, that’s how I began my quest for my allergy.

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7 Jegattack September 24, 2012 at 08:59

Here’s my question. I have allergy symptoms as do my mom and my son. All of us got negative skin test results. Is it possible that, for genetic reasons, we could all have allergic reactions due to the same minor allergins not tested for?

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8 Allergy Guy September 25, 2012 at 08:13

It could be.
What is more important in my opinion is that allergy tests are not that accurate. The best way to discover your allergies is through process of elimination, at least for food.

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9 Mike M June 1, 2010 at 12:52

I was tested for over 100 allergys and they all came back negative, however I have had to avoid swiming in rivers and lakes when I go camping because once my head is submerged even for 5 seconds, I will be misserable the next 2 days with a stuffed up and running nose, eyes red and itchy, and no energy. Does anyone know of someone else with a similar problem? I live in Missouri and even get it in fresh moving streams like rivers. I have had this problem on the rivers in Arkansas, Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, the rivers in Missouri and in Kansas. Its miserable and wish I could enjoy the water. (Sudafed and such medicine won’t even work; nor will the afrin or other sprays doctors have suggested to open the nasal passages)

Any help or thoughts appreciated!

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10 T.M. November 10, 2011 at 19:45

What about physteria? DE area waters gets warnings posted to stay out.

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