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[Food allergy diagnosis]
1Service de Médecine Interne, Immunologie Clinique et Allergologie-Hôpital Central-54035, Nancy.
Allergie Et Immunologie
|October 23, 2002
Summary
Diagnosing food allergies (FA) involves a step-by-step approach. Specific IgE blood tests can accurately predict allergies to milk, egg, fish, and peanut, potentially avoiding oral food challenges.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Context:
- Food allergies (FA) diagnosis requires a structured approach.
- Clinical characteristics and food diaries are initial diagnostic steps.
- Detecting masked food allergens is crucial in FA diagnosis.
Purpose:
- To outline the diagnostic pathway for food allergies.
- To evaluate the utility of various diagnostic tools, including skin prick tests, specific IgE tests, and oral challenges.
- To provide guidance on the appropriate use of diagnostic methods in clinical practice.
Summary:
- The diagnosis of food allergies follows a decision tree, starting with clinical evaluation and food diaries.
- Skin prick tests and specific IgE blood tests are utilized, with single specific IgE determinations showing high predictive value for certain allergens.
- Standardized oral challenges remain the gold standard, while eviction diets serve as an alternative in specific cases like infant cow's milk allergy.
Impact:
- Highlights the diagnostic value of specific IgE tests, potentially reducing the need for invasive oral challenges.
- Emphasizes the importance of a systematic diagnostic process for accurate food allergy identification.
- Provides evidence-based recommendations for clinicians managing patients with suspected food allergies.