To pinpoint the allergy problem -- and determine the treatment – your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and habits. You’ll also need various tests.
An allergist may be able to help identify your allergy triggers. Several different types of allergy tests are used to do this.
Your doctor will likely ask you a series of questions to help determine if your problem is allergy related. Here’s what to expect.
Skin testing is one way your doctor can check on what causes your allergy symptoms.
Allergy blood tests detect and measure the amount of allergen-specific antibodies in your blood. When you come into contact with an allergy trigger, your body makes antibodies against it,
Testing is the most controversial aspect of food allergy treatment. But new guidelines help doctors use food allergy tests in the best possible way.
If you have a food allergy, you may need to keep a food diary – and remove certain foods from your diet – to determine exactly what you’re allergic to.
The elimination diet involves removing specific foods or ingredients from your diet that you and your doctor suspect may be causing your allergy symptoms (common allergy-causing foods include milk, eggs, nuts, wheat, and soy). Your doctor will supervise this diet over a few weeks.