Allergology

We offer you the following allergological diagnostics.

Diagnosis of a type 1 allergy

This refers to allergy with rapidly occurring symptoms — for example hay fever, bronchial asthma or anaphylactic reactions. It comprises:

a detailed allergological history: a conversation about your symptoms, how they developed over time and the circumstances in which they occur
the skin test (prick test) as a small or a large panel
laboratory determination of total IgE and of specific IgE antibodies
where indicated, lung function testing, if necessary with a challenge test

Diagnosis of a type 3 allergy

In type 3 allergy the symptoms appear with a delay, typically only hours after contact with the allergen. An important example in our field is extrinsic allergic alveolitis, such as bird fancier's lung or farmer's lung. Here we determine the specific IgG antibodies in the laboratory and, depending on the question, add lung function testing including diffusion capacity, blood gas analysis and imaging.

The skin test (prick test)

In the prick test, allergen solutions are placed on the skin of the forearm and the skin underneath is lightly pricked with a fine lancet. A positive and a negative control are always tested alongside so that we can interpret the result correctly. We read the test after about 15 to 20 minutes. Itching and weals may occur as side effects; very rarely a stronger allergic reaction occurs despite the controls, which is why you remain in the practice after the test.

Please note before the skin test:

Antihistamine tablets must be stopped 4 to 5 days beforehand.
Corticosteroid tablets must be stopped 4 to 7 days beforehand.
Montelukast must be stopped 10 days beforehand.

Please always discuss stopping any medication with us or with your general practitioner in advance.

SIT — specific immunotherapy

Under specific conditions (indication, contraindications, feasibility etc.) we carry out SIT — specific immunotherapy (desensitisation, specific allergen immunotherapy).

In specific immunotherapy the triggering allergen is administered over a longer period in slowly increasing doses so that the immune system learns to react less strongly to it. It is therefore the only treatment that addresses the cause of the allergy rather than only relieving the symptoms. The therapy usually lasts three years.

The prerequisite is that the triggering allergen has been clearly identified and that your symptoms fit that finding. We will clarify together in a detailed conversation whether SIT is an option for you — including possible contraindications, the route of administration (subcutaneous injection or sublingual drops or tablets) and the time involved.