Allergies affect countless individuals every year, causing discomfort and impacting daily life. Accurately diagnosing allergies is essential for effective management and treatment. At Derma Clinic Kathmandu, Nepal’s leading center for allergy testing and treatment , we offer comprehensive solutions to pinpoint your triggers. Here’s a guide to help you understand and choose the best allergy test for your needs: the Serum Allergy Test, Skin Prick Test, and Skin Patch Test.
1. Serum Allergy Test
Why This Test is Done:
A serum allergy test (also known as a blood allergy test) measures the presence of allergen-specific antibodies in your blood. Common allergens tested include pollen, dust mites, food items, and more.
Benefits:
- Safe for all ages—including infants and the elderly.
- Preferred when skin conditions (such as eczema) prevent skin-based tests.
- Can detect a wide range of allergens in a single test.
- No need to stop allergy medications beforehand.
Serum Allergy Test has 2 parts Food and Inhalation.
Food Allergy that can be detected from Serum Allergy Test are:
Egg white, Egg yolk, Cow’s milk, Yogurt, Wheat flour, Gluten, Oat flour, Maize flour, Rice, Soybean, Peanut, Almond, Citrus mix 2, Orange, Coconut, Apple, Grape, blue, Pea, Tomato, Potato, Spinach, Garlic, Onion, Chickpea, Cucumber, Eggplant, Pigeon pea, Mung bean, Beef, Chicken, Lamb meat, Mustard seed, Ginger, Spice mix, Cod, Crab, Shrimp/Prawn, Rohu
Inhalation Allergy that can be detected from Serum Allergy Are:
Bermuda grass, Timothy grass, Johnson grass, Cultivated rye, Cultivated corn, Eucalyptus, Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora), Mugwort, Ox-eye daisy, Dandelion, Goosefoot, Goldenrod, Cocklebur, Rough pigweed, Sunflower, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Cockroach, German, Penicillium notatum, Cladosporium herbarum, Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucor racemosus, Candida albicans, Alternaria alternata, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Cat, Dog, Pigeon feathers, Chicken feathers
2. Skin Prick Test
Why This Test is Done:
The skin prick test identifies immediate allergic reactions to multiple allergens by introducing tiny samples into the skin’s surface. It is widely used for environmental and food allergies.
Benefits:
- Quick results—typically within 15–20 minutes.
- Highly sensitive for detecting IgE-mediated allergies.
- Covers a broad range of allergens in one sitting.
- Minimal discomfort and low risk.
List of Allergy that Skin Prick test detects:
MITES
D.farinae, Blomia sp., D.pteronyssinus
FUNGI
Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium sp., Helminthosporium sp, Rhizopus nigricans, Aspergillus versicolor
POLLEN
Cynodon dactylon, Eucalyptus sp., Zea mays, Mangifera indica, Prosopis juliflora, Azadirachta indica
DUSTS
Wheat Dust (Th.), Cotton Dust, Grain Dust(Rice), Saw dust (Wood dust), Hay Dust, Paper Dust, House Dust, Silk Dust (Raw), Grain Dust (Wheat), Spider web dust
Epithelia
Dog Epithelia, Sheep’s wool, Pigeon’s feather, Buffalo Dander, Cat dander, Pigeon’s dropping, Chicken feather, Cow Dander
INSECTS
Ant (Black), Housefly, Wasp, Cricket, Cockroach, Rice weevil, Mosquito, Moth, Honey bee, Ant (Red)
FOODS
Rice, Moong Dal, Pineapple, Wheat, Rahar Dal, Peanut, Banana, Baking Yeast, Tomato, Onion, Milk, Garlic, Potato, Egg(Whole), Apple, Maize x, Pea (Watana), Urad Dal (Black gram), Mustard, Lemon, Mutton, Jackfruit, Bitter gourd, Parwal (Snake gourd), Capsicum, Chilli powder (Paprika), Clove, Rajma, Musuro Daal, Orange, Chicken, Carrot, Papaya, Beetroot, Cheese, Lobster, Crab, Bean, Pumpkin, Prawn, Walnut, Barley, Chana, Radish, Cashewnut, Tamarind, Turmeric(Besar), Mango, Strawberry, Dhaniya, Cauliflower, Watermelon, Black Pepper, Cucumber, Cumin Seeds, Grape, Cabbage, Ginger, Tea, Mushroom, Lettuce, Soyabean, Cardamom, Sweet Potato, Tobacco, Pork, Hazelnut, Pomegranate, Spinach, Egg(White), Egg(yolk), Seasme seeds, Corn, Fish (sardine), Cherry, Cinnamon, Lady’s finger(Bhindi), Paneer, Brinjal, Almond, Chocolate, Coffee, Pistachio (Pista), Coconut, Cocoa, Guava, Methi (Fenugreek), Ghilaki (Sponge gourd), Sugarcane, Waternut, Butter, Vinegar, Hing, Dalda, Curd
3. Skin Patch Test
Why This Test is Done:
The skin patch test diagnoses delayed allergic skin reactions, often linked to contact allergens such as metals, fragrances, or preservatives. Patches containing small amounts of allergens are applied to your back for up to 48 hours.
Benefits:
- Best method for identifying contact dermatitis.
- Pinpoints reactions that may take hours or days to develop.
- Helps customize treatment for chronic skin conditions.
List of Allergy that Skin Patch Test Detects:
Vaseline, Balsam of peru, Formaldehyde, Mercaptobenzothiazole, Potassium bichromate, Nickel sulfate hexahydrate, Cobalt sulfate, Colophony, Epoxy resins, Paraben mix, PPD, Parthenium, Neomycin sulfate, Benzocaine, Wool alcohol, Chlorcresol, Fragrance mix, Thiuram mix, Nitrofurazone, Black rubber mix pet
Comparison Table: Allergy Testing Methods
| Test | What It Detects | Suitable For | Speed of Results | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serum Allergy Test | Allergen-specific antibodies | All ages; skin conditions | 1 days | Medication-safe; broad screening |
| Skin Prick Test | Immediate-type allergies | Most individuals | 15–20 min | Fast; sensitive; covers many allergens |
| Skin Patch Test | Delayed contact allergies | Suspected contact dermatitis | 2 days | Reveals delayed reactions; skin specific |
Why Choose Derma Clinic Kathmandu for Allergy Testing?
Derma Clinic Kathmandu is proud to offer all three forms of allergy testing and treatment guided by experienced specialists. As Nepal’s leading center for allergy diagnosis, we customize your testing plan based on symptoms, lifestyle, and health needs—ensuring accurate results and personalized care.
Take control of your allergies with the right test for you!
Visit Derma Clinic Kathmandu or call us or whatsapp us at 9801358600 for expert advice, advanced diagnostics, and professional support. Book your consultation today and experience why we are the trusted destination for allergy testing in Nepal.
