If you suspect allergy sensitization in a patient, a skin prick test or blood test will confirm the presence of allergen-specific IgE Antibodies.
The bottom-up approach to allergy diagnosis is where the patient is screened by using a very large panel to identify allergens that are not suspected from questioning the patient or from a skin prick test. Eurofins Biomnis offer this test to GPs.
IgE blood tests measure the presence of total and specific IgE allergens in the blood. Total IgE provides gross information. Specific IgE detects the presence of IgE antibodies that bind to the extract allergen or a molecular component. sIgE help to better define the IgE profile of a patient.
Advantages of a Blood test
- Results are not affected by histamine drugs
- It just requires a small blood draw and easier to work with children
- Dangerous allergens not administered to patients. No risk to patient.
- Automated work stations provide consistency in results
The top-down approach of allergy diagnosis is where the patient is seen by an allergist, skin prick tests are performed and then, if necessary, specific IgE tests for a selected panel of allergens are performed and then in some situations the study is deepened by using the likes of ALEX Allergy to have a very accurate picture of the IgE profile.
Advantages of Skin-Prick Test
- Faster results
- Skin-prick is more sensitive, IgE is more qualitative
