Should I Consider Alternative Methods of Allergy Testing?

People who suspect that they suffer from allergy should make sure that this important aspect of their care is handled only by qualified medical personnel, using scientifically valid tests.

Some testing techniques are highly questionable and not scientifically validated. These include cytotoxic testing, in which reactions of white blood cells to suspected allergens are examined under the microscope, and monitoring of symptoms after exposure to various substances placed under the tongue (sublingual testing) or injected under the skin (provocation and neutralization testing).

These and other unproven methods can be expensive, uncomfortable, or even dangerous in some cases. They do not provide reliable diagnostic information and often lead to inappropriate treatment.

This information has been approved by Dr. Rohit Katial (January 2005).