Diagnosing Allergies - Pinpointing Your Allergic Triggers: Allergies

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Diagnosing allergies

There are a number of bona fide approaches to diagnosing allergies — several types of skin tests, blood tests, elimination or avoidance diets, and challenge testing. Each has advantages and disadvantages depending on the nature of the allergy and its severity. There are also a number of unreliable types of tests that should be avoided.

Tell it like it is

The first and most important step in any diagnosis is compiling an accurate account of your allergy attacks. Doctors call this account your “history.” Allergy testing is effective only when you and your allergist have some idea of what you are testing for. A detailed description of your symptoms and the situations that trigger them is an invaluable aid in whittling down the possibilities. Be prepared to describe not just your current situation and what you assume are the likely allergens, but also what happened in your childhood and whether family members have allergies. It’s a good idea to jot down your allergy history before your appointment with your allergist, lest you inadvertently leave out something that may be important.

Seeing a specialist Your doctor may want help in treating your allergies. He may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist for management of rhinitis and sinusitis, to a pulmonologist for management of asthma, or to a dermatologist if you have hives or dermatitis. An allergist is also trained to see people with these complaints and, in addition, has the tools and training to identify the offending allergens. Since allergies involve the immune system, of necessity the allergist will be expert in the workings of the immune system. To become certified to practice as a specialist, an allergist must spend two to three years studying allergies and the immune system in depth. Most allergists focus on diagnosing and treating allergies. Some have a particular interest and expertise in treating other immunological diseases.

Your doctor will need details of your home and work environment and a list of all the medications you are taking, including prescription, over-the-counter, and alternative medications and supplements. And you will need to provide the details of your other medical conditions, as these may influence the severity and treatment of your allergies and vice versa. The value of a detailed history cannot be overemphasized. If you shortchange this initial step, you’re less likely to come up with what triggers your allergic reactions. It’s also important to correlate the triggers you identify with those identified by testing.

After you and your allergist agree on a likely list of suspects, it’s time to move on to allergy testing — usually to confirm a suspicion rather than to discover something completely new, although this possibility shouldn’t be ruled out.

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Last updated:	August 21, 2006
Reviewed By:	Faculty of Harvard Medical School

Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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