2nd order laboratory parameters – depending on the results of the history, physical examination and obligatory laboratory parameters – for differential diagnostic clarification.
- Inflammatory parameters – CRP (C-reactive protein).
- Infectious serology
- 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
- Scratch test – here, allergen extracts are also applied to the patient’s skin, which is then scratched superficially for a few millimeters with a lancet
- 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 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
- 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.
