Allergen testing: skin prick tests, IgE and food diaries
Test results must be interpreted together with your medical history. A "negative" result does not mean you are not allergic, and a "positive" result does not always mean the allergy is real in practice.
Common methods
A skin prick test places a tiny drop of allergen liquid on the skin and lightly pricks it, then the reaction is checked after 15-20 minutes for a raised bump. A specific IgE blood test measures antibodies against particular allergens. Each has its own suitable situations. Your doctor chooses based on your medical history. There is no need to aim for "testing as many things as possible".
How to read the results
A positive result only shows "sensitisation" (antibodies in the body). Whether you are truly allergic depends on whether symptoms appear after contact. A negative result cannot fully rule out allergy either, especially for some food allergies. An "allergen list" read without clinical interpretation has limited value.
Food diary
If a food allergy is suspected, recording what you eat each day, your symptoms and the timing between them often gives more useful information than blindly doing a full set of tests. It is also an important basis for your doctor's diagnosis. If a drug allergy is suspected, bring all the medicines you are using and their packaging when you see the doctor.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Please follow your doctor's instructions.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. If your symptoms affect daily life, please see a doctor.