Learn about allergic rhinitis diagnosis and tests. We explain skin prick tests, blood analysis, and what to expect during your visit.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Diagnosing allergic rhinitis involves more than just checking for a runny nose. At LIV Hospital, we use a systematic approach to identify the specific triggers causing your symptoms. Our goal is to distinguish allergic rhinitis from other conditions, such as non-allergic rhinitis or chronic sinusitis.
Comprehensive medical history and targeted tests guide personalized treatment plans.
Allergy Diagnostic Process: Initial evaluation involves a detailed consultation on family history, environmental exposures, symptom patterns, and prior medications, followed by a physical examination using a nasal speculum.
Physical Signs of Allergies: Initial step: detailed consultation on history, exposures, symptoms, and medications, followed by a nasal physical examination.
If the physical exam suggests allergic rhinitis, we proceed to confirmatory tests. These tests pinpoint exactly which allergens (substances causing the allergy) are responsible.
Gold-standard, quick, cost-effective allergy test.
How it works? This test checks for immediate allergic reactions to as many as 40 different substances at once. It is generally performed on the forearm or the upper back.
The Procedure Steps:
Skin tests may be unsuitable due to severe eczema, interfering medications, or risk of anaphylaxis; laboratory tests are used instead.
This blood test measures the level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in your blood. IgE is the antibody your immune system produces when it overreacts to an allergen.
Advantages of Blood Testing:
What the results mean? A high count of specific IgE antibodies for a certain allergen (like ragweed or peanuts) indicates a high likelihood of an allergy. However, these results can take a few days to process.
This is a newer, high-precision blood test. Instead of just testing for “peanuts” or “birch pollen,” it tests for specific protein components within those allergens.
Why is this useful?
While imaging is not standard for simple allergies, it helps when the diagnosis is unclear or complications are suspected.
If you have persistent congestion that does not respond to treatment, an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist may perform a nasal endoscopy.
The Procedure: A thin, flexible tube with a camera and light (endoscope) is inserted into the nose. This allows the doctor to view the nasal passages and sinus openings deeply.
What doctors look for:
A computed tomography (CT) scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of the sinuses.
When is it needed?
Proper preparation is crucial for accurate results, especially for skin tests.
Medications to Stop: Certain medications prevent the skin from reacting, which leads to “false negative” results.
What to Wear: Wear loose, comfortable clothing. For skin prick tests, you may need to remove your shirt or roll up your sleeves.
Food and Drink: You can usually eat and drink normally before the test. However, avoid heavy meals right before the appointment in case you feel a bit faint.
A positive test indicates sensitization, not always clinical allergy. Clinical allergy requires symptoms matching test results. False positives are common; doctors interpret results alongside patient history.
After identifying triggers, management includes avoidance, pharmacotherapy, and immunotherapy to control and reduce allergic reactions.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
The most common tests are the skin prick test and the specific IgE blood test. The skin prick test involves placing small drops of allergens on the skin to check for a reaction. Blood tests measure antibodies in your system. In some cases, a nasal endoscopy may be used to check for structural issues like polyps.
The most important step is to stop taking antihistamines (allergy medications) 5 to 7 days before your appointment, as they can hide the results. You should also tell your doctor about any other medications you take, including antidepressants or heartburn pills. Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your arms or back.
No, most patients do not find it painful. The lancet only scratches the very top layer of the skin and does not draw blood. It feels like a quick scratch or plastic bristles brushing against the skin. The most annoying part is often the itching if you have a positive reaction, but this fades quickly.
Allergy tests are highly accurate when interpreted by a specialist. Skin prick tests are very sensitive and excellent for ruling out allergies (if the test is negative, you almost certainly aren’t allergic). However, they can sometimes show “false positives,” which is why your doctor compares the results with your actual symptom history.
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