- initial appointment with a professor of dermatology and allergology, medical history taking;
- diagnosis of seasonal rhinitis (allergy to tree and grass pollen);
- diagnosis of perennial rhinitis/rhinoconjunctivitis (allergy to house dust, animal dander, etc.);
- comprehensive blood testing (IgE) for a wide range of food, inhalant and household allergens;
- blood test for food intolerance (IgG);
- skin prick testing with various food, inhalant and household allergens;
- patch testing with the most common contact allergens (metals and chemicals);
- diagnosis of all types of urticaria;
- the latest autologous serum skin test (to identify an autoimmune, «internal» cause of urticaria);
- diagnosis of latent bronchospasm;
- cytological and bacteriological examination of mucosal secretions;
- virological testing;
- immunological testing.
German allergology clinics carry out a comprehensive work-up of children of any age to detect allergic reactions to external triggers.
Alongside standard skin scratch tests, clinics also use the most advanced method available – the allergy panel. This is a laboratory test that uses a set of specific antigens (pollen, food components, animal dander, etc.) to detect immunoglobulins of the IgG and IgE classes in the patient's blood serum, which indicates that allergic reactions to the antigens of a particular trigger are developing or already present.
The advantage of the allergy panel over skin tests is that the allergen has no direct effect on the body.