Diagnosis To determine if you have a shellfish allergy, your healthcare provider will review your symptoms and perform a physical exam to rule out other medical issues. A history of allergic reactions shortly after eating shellfish may indicate an allergy, but symptoms could also result from other causes, such as food poisoning. Allergy testing is the most reliable way to …
Pet Allergy
Diagnosis A healthcare professional may suspect a pet allergy based on your symptoms, a physical examination of your nose, and your responses to questions. A lighted instrument may be used to examine the lining of your nose. If you have a pet allergy, the lining may appear swollen, pale, or discolored. Allergy skin testAn allergy skin test can help identify …
Penicillin Allergy
Diagnosis A careful exam and appropriate diagnostic tests are essential to accurately determine a penicillin allergy. Misdiagnosis may lead to use of ineffective or more expensive antibiotics. Your healthcare professional will review your medical history, ask about your symptoms, and perform a physical exam. Referral to an allergist may be needed for specialized testing, which can include: • Skin tests. …
Peanut Allergy
Diagnosis The process of diagnosing a peanut allergy begins with talking to your healthcare team about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam usually follows, and additional steps may include: • Food diary, to track eating habits, symptoms and medicines• Skin test, where a small amount of food or substance is placed on the skin and pricked. A raised …
Nickel Allergy
Diagnosis Nickel allergy is usually diagnosed based on a detailed medical history and a physical examination of the affected skin. A healthcare provider will ask about recent exposures to jewelry, metal accessories, clothing fasteners, or occupational contact with metals. To confirm the diagnosis, a patch test is commonly performed. During this test, small amounts of nickel and other potential allergens …
Mold Allergy
Diagnosis Diagnosis of a mold allergy involves reviewing symptoms, doing a physical exam and using tests to identify specific triggers. Two common tests help confirm mold allergies. A skin prick test places diluted mold allergens on the skin of the arm or back using tiny punctures. If you’re allergic, a raised bump called a hive appears at the test site. …
Milk Allergy
Diagnosis When food triggers an allergic reaction, it is not always easy to identify which food is responsible. To diagnose a milk allergy, a healthcare professional may begin by gathering detailed information and evaluating overall health. The diagnostic process may include discussing symptoms in detail, performing a physical examination and asking you or your child to keep a diary of …
Latex Allergy
Diagnosis Diagnosis can sometimes be a challenge. A healthcare professional typically examines the skin and asks about symptoms, medical history, and any previous reactions to latex. A skin test may be done to see if the skin reacts to latex proteins. During this test, a small amount of latex is placed just under the surface of the skin on the …
Food Allergy
Diagnosis There is no single test that can definitively confirm or rule out a food allergy. Your healthcare team will review several factors before making a diagnosis, including your medical history, symptoms, and test results. Key diagnostic steps may include: Symptom review: You or your child’s healthcare provider will ask about symptoms, including which foods and how much seem to …
Egg Allergy
Diagnosis Diagnosis of egg allergy involves a series of steps your healthcare professional takes to confirm whether eggs are responsible for your or your child’s allergic reactions. The process also helps rule out other possible conditions, such as food intolerance, which occurs when the gut struggles to digest certain foods or ingredients. Unlike an allergy, food intolerance doesn’t involve the …









