2nd order laboratory parameters – depending on the results of the history, physical examination and obligatory laboratory parameters – for differential diagnostic clarification.
- Skin tests:
- Prick test (detection of type 1 allergies) – a drop of an allergen extract is applied to the patient’s skin and then a lancet is used to prick the skin about 1 mm; the result is then read after about 10 minutes
- Epicutaneous test (synonyms: patch test, patch test) – in this test, a patch is applied to the patient’s skin, which contains various allergens; after two to three days, the patch can be removed and the test can be assessed
- Intracutaneous test (detection of type 1 allergies) – similar to the prick test, but more sensitive! In this test, a defined amount of allergen extract is injected intracutaneously and also read after 20 minutes against a blank test.
- Caveat. There is a risk of a high-grade allergic reaction with this test. [Ready allergen solutions for intradermal testing are probably no longer available in Germany].
- Specific IgE
- Provocation test – for reliable diagnosis allergy or non-allergic intolerance reaction [only a positive result can confirm this after negative findings in the skin test].
- CAST test (cellular activated antigen stimulation test); a new in vitro method in allergy diagnostics.
- Skin biopsy (tissue removal from the skin) for histology u. Immunohistology.
Diagnostics of antibiotic allergies
Test concentrations for the diagnosis of antibiotic allergies (depending on the severity of the immediate reaction: first test with a 1/10 or 1/100 dilution) (after).
| Prick test | Intracutaneous test | Epicutaneous test | |
| MDM | 2 x 10 -5 mmol/l | 2 x 10 -5 mmol/l | |
| PPL | 5 x 10 -2 mmol/l | 5 x 10 -2 mmol/l | |
| Penicillin G | 10,000 U/ml | 10,000 U/ml | 5 % in petrolatum |
| Aminopenicillins | 20 mg/ml | 20 mg/ml | 5 % in petrolatum |
| Cephalosporins | 2 mg/ml | 2 mg/ml | 5 % in petrolatum |
MDM = Minor Determinants MixturePPL = Penicillolyl-L-Lysine
