Allergy Diagnostics

2023 Author: Wallace Forman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 11:04

Allergy diagnostics

Allergy diagnostics are used to identify the triggering allergen. The substance in question can thus be avoided if possible. The most common allergens come from house dust mites, cat and dog fur, pollen, and mold. In the case of certain allergies, such as pollen or insect venom, there is the possibility of specific further treatment. Patients who have been found to have an allergy can receive an allergy pass in which the relevant allergens are noted.

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• more on the subject
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• Standard tests of allergy diagnostics
• Possible further investigations
• Whom can I ask?
• How are the costs going to be covered?

Standard tests of allergy diagnostics

Certain standard tests are used to detect sensitization to certain allergens.

Prick test: The most common regional allergens are dripped onto the inner surface of the two forearms and the skin is scratched with a small, sharp knife - almost painlessly. The test result can be read after 15–30 minutes. Depending on the skin reaction (wheal formation), an existing allergy can be detected.

Intracutaneous test:In some cases, the so-called intracutaneous test is used as an alternative to the prick test. The allergen-containing test solution is injected into the skin with a fine needle in the form of a "wheal". The result, like the prick test, is read after 15–30 minutes. The intracutaneous test is used if the skin prick test is negative but there is still a suspicion of an allergic disease.

Total IgE and RAST test: In these immunological tests, the immunoglobulin E (IgE), which is usually increased in allergies, is determined using a blood sample. Overall, however, such laboratory tests are rarely helpful and do not replace an allergy skin test. Their determination is only useful if the results of the skin test are not clear.

Possible further investigations

If the medical history, skin tests and IgE testing do not provide any indication of the cause of the hypersensitivity, specific provocation tests can be used.

Inhalative provocation test with allergen extracts: This test is only carried out in specialized facilities and is relatively lengthy. An antigen (substance that is bound by an antibody or recognized as foreign by a cell of the immune system) is inhaled in aerosol form (droplet form) with increasing concentration.

Whom can I ask?

There are special facilities for diagnosing allergies - such as allergy ambulances and hospital outpatient departments. You will receive the referral required for this from your supervising doctor.

How are the costs going to be covered?

The costs for allergy diagnostics are covered differently by the individual health insurance companies. For more information, ask your health insurance company directly.