What’s the difference between skin testing and blood tests for allergies?

Allergist Gerald Lee, MD, answers the question, What’s the difference between skin testing and blood tests for allergies?

[@A.Musa76]

I have done the skin testing back in the 1970s. I been arguing to have my son (5 year old) tested. Hoping for skin testing but they refuse and they schedule him to do blood testing. This is the first time I heard of blood testing for allergy. How accurate is this test compare to skin testing?

[@zackiinu7194]

I was exposed, via inhalation, to hexamethylene diisocyanate and toluene diiosocyanate 40 years ago. Over the years I believe that I have developed specific and consistent reactions to the odors of these chemicals. Will allergen testing help in identifying an allergy to isocyanates? If so, what type of test(s) is recommended for this specific exposure (skin prick, blood, florescence, enzymes, or other)? Thank you.

[@PinkFlowers365]

thanks