[Allergy diagnosis for general practice. Proper testing!].
The aim of allergy testing is to establish unequivocally the (possible) allergenic nature of the condition, and also to identify the triggering allergen(s). The diagnostic work-up of allergic diseases proceeds in accordance with a stepped schema. The individual steps comprise a history, physical examination, skin tests, in vitro diagnostic procedures and challenge (provocative) testing. With regard to skin tests, the major ones are the prick and scratch test, open and closed patch test and the intracutaneous test. The present article identifies the indications for the various tests, and describes how they are performed, and also discusses the usefulness of the individual in vitro methods and challenges.
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Zentrum für Dermatologie, Allergologie, Pädiatrie und Umweltmedizin, Fachklinikum Borkum.
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D000485:Allergens; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D007428:Intradermal Tests; D010328:Patch Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
D000485:Allergens