Allergy tests help physicians pinpoint the cause of allergy-related symptoms. Healthcare providers who use these tests can identify the responsible allergen and then use that information to build an effective allergy treatment plan for the patient. Oftentimes, this will include a combination of lifestyle-modification suggestions and allergy medication therapy.

There are three primary groups of allergy tests:

• Skin tests
• Blood tests
• Food allergy tests

In addition, tests to determine lung or nasal function may be used in cases where breathing-related symptoms are present.

Each test offers advantages and disadvantages, and may be appropriate for some patients and inappropriate for others. No single test is 100 percent accurate in diagnosing allergies. However, in conjunction with the patient’s specific symptoms (e.g., hives, wheezing, watery eyes) and medical history, these tests offer physicians the best window into the nature of an individual’s allergies.