Oral food challenge is the most reliable clinical procedure for diagnosing food allergy. Also, antigen-specific IgE titers varies in the interpretation by classifications of clinical type and allergens. Therefore, we need enough understanding of antigen-specific IgE titers. Probability curve for specific IgE titers are helpful to predict the probability of positive challenge for some allergens. We would like to explain diagnostic procedure in clinical type.
1. Diagnosis of infantile atopic dermatitis associated with food allergy
The first step to diagnosis of infants who came to the hospital by reason of chronic rash, is as follows. We must get detailed medical history. And, it is important that we teach method of careful skin care, how to apply of steroid ointment and environmental maintenance. For patients that improvement of skin symptom was poor, we need search antigen-specific IgE titers utilizing food diary.
2. Diagnosis of immediate type reaction
We must get detailed medical history from patients and search food specific IgE titers for suspected allergen. The points that we must be careful are as follows.
There are patients who do not develop symptom even if antigen-specific IgE titers positive. The definitive diagnosis of causative antigen is not possible only by antigen-specific IgE titers.
3. Sub type
【Food-dependent, exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FDEIA/FEIAn), Oral allergy syndrome (OAS)】for the definitive diagnosis of FDEIA, the challenge tests consist of three steps: food challenge alone, exercise challenge alone, combination of food and exercise challenge. Food prick test is useful for the diagnosis of the OAS.
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