A patient undergoing an allergy test. A dermatologist's hand, wearing gloves, drips an allergen liquid onto the patient's skin. Skin reactions are used to diagnose allergies and decide on subsequent treatment methods.

Tests

Allergy tests for common allergic complaints and symptoms

It makes sense to carry out an allergy test if allergic complaints and symptoms occur frequently. These include, for example, a cold, irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes, coughing, cold symptoms, hives, diarrhea or - in extreme cases - an unexpected allergic shock.

Allergy Analysis Alex²

With the Alex² allergy test, 295 different allergens are tested comprehensively. Based on the composition of our test panel of allergen extracts and molecular allergens, this gives an almost full picture the sensitization status. A small blood sample of 0,5 ml of native blood from the fingertip or 0,5 ml of native blood taken from a vein is sufficient for the examination. After one week you will receive a detailed report of your sensitization status, which will then be discussed with one of our dermatologists. For more information see here.

Prick testing

A skin prick test is carried out if there is a suspicion of a type I allergy, the so-called "immediate type". With these allergies, symptoms appear within a few seconds or minutes of exposure to the allergen. A defined allergen extract is dripped onto the skin and then gently pricked with a lancet so that the respective substances penetrate the epidermis. The test reaction can be read after 20 minutes in comparison to two blank tests (positive control with histamine) and drug-free negative control with physiological NaCl solution that are always carried out. The skin prick test is usually painless.

IC testing (intracutaneous testing)

Here, a defined amount of an allergen extract is injected intracutaneously and also read after 20 minutes against a blank test (see above). Since the amount of allergen is larger than in the skin prick test, the reactions can be stronger. The IC test is used when the prick test is inconclusive, especially when an allergy to house dust mites and insect venom is suspected or to clarify some drug allergies.

Scratch testing

In some cases it can make sense to test materials directly. Then the skin is scratched in a defined manner and a suspension of the material (eg bed dust collected by yourself) is applied. Scratch testing is primarily used for drug testing. In the scratch test, the allergy test solutions penetrate deeper into the skin through the small scratches than through the mini needle pricks in the prick test. As with the skin prick test, a possible allergic reaction is present after 20 minutes.

Patch test

This test serves to detect a so-called type IV sensitization. A classic example of this are contact allergies such as nickel allergy. In type IV allergy, the allergic reaction is delayed. Here, defined preparations of the allergens in carrier substances (such as Vaseline or water) are stuck onto the skin under test chambers. The test reading is then usually taken after 24, 48 and 72 hours.

Blood test (RAST values)

The RAST test (radio-allergo-sorbent test) shows how many specific, allergy-triggering antibodies (IgE) are present in the blood. A RAST test can be carried out in certain circumstances in the case of immediate-type allergies (Type I allergies). The RAST test is often carried out as a further examination after allergy skin tests (e.g. prick test) to determine the severity of the sensitization, allergy.