06 Mar Allergy test at the ENT: how it works

Posted at 10:50h in Allergy, ENT, ENT practice by Dr Thomas Fischer

Sneezing fits, itchy eyes and a blocked or constantly runny nose - many people are familiar with these symptoms, but the cause often remains unclear. Is it a cold or is there an allergy behind it? A targeted allergy test at the ENT can provide certainty. Modern diagnostic procedures make it possible to precisely identify triggers and initiate appropriate treatment. Below we explain how the tests work - and what they can tell you.

What are the basic types of allergies?

Allergies can be categorised into different types, depending on which substances trigger the reaction and how the symptoms manifest themselves. The most important allergy types are

Pollen allergy (hay fever)

Triggered by pollen from grasses, trees and herbs
Typical symptoms: Sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, blocked or runny nose

House dust mite allergy

Reaction to the excretions of house dust mites
Symptoms occur more frequently in the morning, as mites are found in mattresses and upholstered furniture
Frequent complaints: Sneezing, blocked nose, breathing problems

Animal hair allergy

Caused by proteins in hair, dander, saliva or urine of animals (cats, dogs, rodents, horses)
Symptoms: Respiratory irritation, skin rashes, itchy eyes

Mould allergy

Physical reaction to mould spores in damp rooms or in nature
Symptoms: similar to hay fever, often with additional breathing difficulties

Food allergy

Immune system reacts to certain proteins in food
Common triggers: nuts, milk, eggs, fish, soya, gluten
Complaints: Skin reactions, gastrointestinal complaints, shortness of breath and even anaphylactic shock

Insect venom allergy

Reaction to stings from bees, wasps, hornets or mosquitoes
Possible consequences: Severe swelling, circulatory problems or even allergic shock

Contact allergy (contact dermatitis)

Occurs on direct skin contact with allergenic substances
Common triggers: nickel, latex, fragrances, preservatives
Symptoms: redness, itching, blistering

Drug allergy

Hypersensitivity to certain medications
Symptoms: vary from skin rashes to severe circulatory reactions

Sun allergy (light dermatosis)

Overreaction of the skin to UV radiation
Symptoms: itchy reddening of the skin, blisters or wheals after sun exposure

Allergy test: When should you do one?

An allergy test is useful if there are recurring symptoms whose cause is unclear. Clarification is particularly important if symptoms occur more frequently in certain situations or seasons.

Here are some typical signs and situations in which an allergy test is recommended:

Persistent or seasonal complaints

Frequent sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, a blocked or Runny nose without recognisable Cold
Symptoms mainly occur in spring or summer (indication of a pollen allergy)

Respiratory problems

Regular breathlessness, wheezing or persistent coughing may indicate allergic asthma
Symptoms worsen in certain environments (e.g. in contact with house dust, animals or mould)

Skin reactions without recognisable cause

Itching, redness, eczema or hives after contact with certain substances or foods

Suspicion of food allergies

Stomach pain, nausea, diarrhoea or skin reactions after eating certain foods
Sudden swelling in the mouth and throat after eating

Recurring complaints indoors

Symptoms intensify in the home or at night (indication of a house dust mite or mould allergy)
Complaints occur more frequently after contact with pets

An early allergy test can help to identify the trigger and provide targeted treatment. This can alleviate symptoms and prevent more severe reactions.

Allergy test at the ENT: How we can help you at our practice clinic in Frankfurt

Using specific tests, we can diagnose various allergies and identify their triggers. Our focus is on early diagnosis in order to prevent serious developments such as allergic reactions. Floor change - prevent the transition of an untreated allergy into bronchial asthma.

Allergy testing options at our ENT clinic in Frankfurt:

Allergic anamnesis and mucosal findings

A detailed discussion about your medical history and symptoms as well as an examination of your mucous membranes form the basis of the diagnosis.

Prick test

It is a common method for diagnosing allergies. The prick test is used to detect hypersensitivity to certain allergens such as pollen, house dust mites, animal hair or food. This is how the test works:

Preparation
We clean the skin on the inside of your forearm and draw a grid on it to mark the respective test sites. We then apply small drops of various standardised allergen extracts to your skin according to a certain pattern.
Realisation
We use a fine lancet to lightly scratch your skin under the allergen solutions so that the substances can penetrate the uppermost layer of skin. The small injury is barely noticeable and usually does not cause any pain.
Observation
After 15 to 20 minutes, we check the skin reaction. If there is an allergy to a certain substance, a wheal (a round skin elevation) forms at the test site, which may be surrounded by redness - similar to a mosquito bite.
Evaluation
A positive reaction indicates sensitisation to the respective allergen. We compare the size of the wheal with a reference solution to determine the intensity of the reaction. In order to make a reliable diagnosis, we evaluate the result in combination with your medical history and other tests (e.g. blood tests).

Intradermal test

This allergy test has a higher sensitivity than the prick test. It is mainly used when the prick test does not provide clear results or a weak sensitisation is suspected. The intradermal test is a particularly helpful method for drug, insect venom and contact allergies.

It is similar to the prick test. The difference: a very small amount of the allergen extract is injected directly into the skin using a fine needle.

Laboratory test

The laboratory test as an allergy test at the ENT is used to detect allergy-triggering substances through a blood test. It specifically measures the amount of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in the blood that your body produces during an allergic reaction. The test is carried out as follows:

Blood sampling
We take a small amount of blood from a vein.
Analysis in the laboratory
Our partner laboratory analyses your blood for specific IgE antibodies against various allergens. A frequently used method is the RAST test. This involves mixing your blood with allergen extracts. If sensitisation is present, the IgE antibodies bind to the allergens. This binding is visualised and measured using radioactively labelled or enzyme-coupled substances. The highly sensitive ImmunoCAP test can also be used to precisely determine the IgE concentration. It has a particularly broad allergen spectrum. Over 500 tested allergens are available. For the test, the blood is brought into contact with allergens in special ImmunoCAP reaction tubes. If an allergy is present, specific IgE antibodies bind to the allergens. This binding is visualised with fluorescent substances and precisely measured.
Interpretation of the laboratory test
The tests show whether the immune system has formed specific IgE antibodies against certain allergens. This allows us to assess the severity of the allergy. Possible cross-allergies can also be recognised, which is particularly important in the case of pollen and food allergies.

After the allergy test at the ENT: treatment options for allergies

The treatment of allergies aims to alleviate symptoms and prevent the disease from progressing. The therapy often includes antihistamines or cortisone preparations to alleviate the symptoms. Another option is immunotherapy, in which your immune system is gradually acclimatised to the allergen in order to reduce the readiness to react.

You can find out more here: Allergy treatment in Frankfurt

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ENT Frankfurt: Dr Thomas Fischer & Dr Albrecht Linke

Your specialists for ear, nose and throat medicine, who will provide you with professional and individualised advice, examinations and treatment in all matters relating to ENT medicine, functional plastic surgery and the aesthetic treatment of changes to the facial skin.

Our news articles are prepared for you to the best of our knowledge and belief and are intended for general education. They are in no way a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis and treatment and are not intended to encourage self-diagnosis or self-treatment. Please always contact your ENT specialist in Frankfurt directly if you have any health complaints!

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Allergy, Allergy test, ENT, ENT doctor, ENT doctor Frankfurt