Allergy diagnostics

Overview

Every allergy work-up begins with a detailed conversation about your symptoms and possible triggers. In addition, we offer all established, standardised testing procedures in our practice and evaluate them in our in-house laboratory.

Which tests are useful depends on your symptoms and the suspected type of allergy. We select the suitable procedures together with you.

Areas of application

• Suspected allergy in the case of recurring symptoms
• Unclear skin, eye, nasal or respiratory symptoms
• Suspected contact allergy (e.g. work-related)
• Work-up prior to a planned hyposensitisation
• Allergy work-up also in early childhood (via blood test)

Procedure

1. Detailed medical history

   We discuss your symptoms, their occurrence and possible triggers – the basis for selecting the appropriate tests.

2. Selection and performance of the tests

   Depending on the clinical question, we carry out skin tests (patch, prick, scratch or intradermal test) and/or a blood test (RAST).

3. Evaluation and discussion of findings

   The tests are evaluated in our in-house laboratory. We then discuss the result with you and – if required – derive a treatment recommendation.

What to expect

• Immediate-type skin tests (prick, scratch, intradermal) are usually read after about 20 minutes.
• The patch test (contact allergy) is usually read after 48 and 72 hours; for certain substances an additional late reading (after several days) is useful. This requires further appointments.
• The blood test for specific IgE antibodies (still often referred to as a “RAST test”) is also suitable for a work-up in early childhood.
• Certain medications (e.g. antihistamines) can influence skin tests – please coordinate with us in advance and do not stop taking anything on your own.

Risks & notes

• Skin tests are usually well tolerated; at the test sites, temporary itching, redness or weals can occur.
• With the patch test, reactions at the test site can persist for a few days; rarely, temporary pigment changes remain or the test itself causes a new sensitisation.
• Very rarely – particularly with the intradermal test – a stronger, including systemic, allergic reaction up to and including anaphylactic shock can occur. The tests are therefore carried out under medical supervision with the option of immediate emergency treatment; after risk tests we observe you in the practice for an appropriate period of time.

Our testing procedures

• Patch test – suspected contact allergens are applied via a plaster (usually on the back) and usually read after 48 and 72 hours, and for certain substances additionally later.
• Prick test – internationally recognised standard procedure for immediate-type allergies: an allergen solution is introduced via a small puncture on the inner side of the forearm, with the reading after about 20 minutes.
• Scratch test – the allergen solution is applied to a lightly scratched test area on the forearm, with the reading after about 20 minutes.
• Intradermal test – an allergen solution is introduced into the skin, with the reading as for the prick test after about 20 minutes.
• Blood test for allergen-specific antibodies (determination of specific IgE, still often referred to as a “RAST test”) – well suited to detecting allergies early, including in young children.

Frequently asked questions

Which allergy tests do you offer?

Patch, prick, scratch and intradermal tests as well as the RAST blood test. Which tests are useful depends on your symptoms; evaluation takes place in our in-house laboratory.

Do the tests hurt?

The skin tests are only slightly uncomfortable. With the prick and scratch test the skin is merely scratched superficially; the intradermal test and the blood draw are a brief prick.

Do I have to stop taking medications beforehand?

Some medications (e.g. antihistamines) can distort skin tests. Please discuss this with us in advance and do not stop taking anything on your own.

Can children also be tested?

Yes. The RAST blood test in particular is suitable for detecting allergies early, including in early childhood.