Allergy tests may be useful in conditions where allergy plays a significant role, for example asthma, anaphylaxis, food allergy, eczema, hay fever and non-seasonal allergic rhinitis (nasal allergy).
By allergy we mean the presence of increased levels of allergy antibody (IgE ) to specific substances encountered in normal day to day life.
For reasons that have yet to be determined, allergic conditions are increasing in frequency in developed countries like Ireland .
One in 5 Irish children have asthma and food allergies affect as many as 6% of school kids, the most common being Peanut.
The only medically proven allergy tests are skin prick tests or a specific IgE blood test (RAST).