[The diagnosis of allergic diseases]

The diagnosis of allergic diseases IgE mediated is based on 4 criteria: questionnary on the circumstances of appearance suggesting an allergic mechanism and defining an potential allergen; confirmation through cutaneous tests (prick test, IDR); measuring out of specific IgE (check results with clinical tests); provocation tests directed on the organ-target (nasal, bronchial or oral challenges) with the offending allergen. Recent tests, like cellulary tests, have shown the release of mediators in the presence of the allergen. The dosage of tryptase gives valuable information in cases of anaphylaxisis. Atopy-patch tests are efficient to detect delayed type of hypersensitivity. One of the important goal for consultations will be to confirm the allergic mechanism mediated by specific IgE. In a nutshell, the diagnosis of allergic diseases can be made based on the following: trigger identification, evidence of an IgE-mediated sensitivity and association of this sensitivity with symptoms, which can be identified with obvious clinical history or allergen testing.