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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffTo evaluate whether you have an allergy, your doctor may:
- Ask detailed questions about signs and symptoms
- Perform a physical exam
- Have you keep a detailed diary of symptoms and possible triggers
If you have a food allergy, your doctor may:
- Ask you to keep a detailed diary of the foods you eat
- Have you eliminate a food from your diet (elimination diet) — and then have you eat the food in question again to see if it causes a reaction
Your doctor may also recommend one or both of the following tests:
- Skin test. In this test, your skin is pricked and exposed to small amounts of the proteins found in your potential allergen. If you're allergic, you develop a raised bump (hive) at the test location on your skin. Allergy specialists usually are best equipped to perform and interpret allergy skin tests.
- Blood test. A blood test (sometimes called the radioallergosorbent, or RAST, test) can measure your immune system's response to a specific allergen by measuring the amount of allergy-causing antibodies in your bloodstream, known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. A blood sample is sent to a medical laboratory, where it can be tested for evidence of sensitivity to possible allergens.
If your doctor suspects your problems are caused by something other than an allergy, you may need other tests to identify — or rule out — other medical problems.
References
- Frequently asked questions. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.acaai.org/patients/faq/Pages/default.aspx. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
- Tips to remember: What is an allergic reaction? American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/whatisallergicreaction.stm. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
- Wayt TM. Anaphylaxis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?sid=1079270789&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00010-X--sc0170&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00010-X--sc0170&uniqId=225503130-3. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
- Atkins D, et al. Diagnosis of allergic disease. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/224902915-6/0/1608/434.html?tocnode=54478103&fromURL=434.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50142-0_3366. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
- Tips to remember: Allergy shots. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/whatareallergyshots.stm. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
- Tips to remember: Asthma and allergy medications. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/asthmaallergymedications.stm. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
- Allergy. Mitchell G, et al. In: Rakel RE. Rakel: Textbook of Family Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/225194068-12/1078164908/1481/288.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2467-5..50028-2--cesec19_1317. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
- Engler RJ, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine for the allergist-immunologist: Where do I start? The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2009;123:309.
- DeShazo RD, et al. Pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 3, 2010.
- Li JT (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 16, 2010.
- Naegleria FAQs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/faqs.html. Accessed Dec. 30, 2011.
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