Diagnosis

To evaluate whether you have an allergy, your provider will:​

• Perform a physical exam

• Ask detailed questions about signs and symptoms

• Have you keep a detailed diary of symptoms and possible triggers

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If you have a food allergy, your provider will:

• Ask you to keep a detailed diary of the foods you eat

• Ask if you've stopped eating the suspected food during the allergy evaluation

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Your provider might also recommend one or both of the following tests.

However, be aware that these allergy tests can be falsely positive or falsely negative.

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• Skin test. A doctor or nurse will prick your skin and expose you to small amounts of the proteins found in potential allergens. If you're allergic, you'll likely develop a raised bump (hive) at the test location on your skin.

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• Blood test. Specific IgE (sIgE) blood testing, commonly called radioallergosorbent test (RAST) or ImmunoCAP testing, measures the amount of allergy-causing antibodies in your bloodstream, known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. A blood sample is sent to a medical laboratory, where it can be tested for evidence of sensitivity to possible allergens.

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If your provider  suspects your problems are caused by something other than an allergy, other tests might help identify — or rule out — other medical problems.

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Treatment

Allergy treatments include:

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• Allergen avoidance. Your provider  will help you take steps to identify and avoid your allergy triggers. This is generally the most important step in preventing allergic reactions and reducing symptoms.

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• Medications. Depending on your allergy, medications can help reduce your immune system reaction and ease symptoms. Your doctor might suggest over-the-counter or prescription medication in the form of pills or liquid, nasal sprays, or eyedrops.

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• Immunotherapy. For severe allergies or allergies not completely relieved by other treatment, your doctor might recommend allergen immunotherapy. This treatment involves a series of injections of purified allergen extracts, usually given over a period of a few years.

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• Another form of immunotherapy is a tablet that's placed under the tongue (sublingual) until it dissolves. Sublingual drugs are used to treat some pollen allergies.

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• Emergency epinephrine. If you have a severe allergy, you might need to carry an emergency epinephrine shot at all times. Given for severe allergic reactions, an epinephrine shot (Auvi-Q, EpiPen, others) can reduce symptoms until you get emergency treatment.