Specific IgE to foods may be detectable when the patient is clinically tolerant. Frequent false positives lead to incorrect diagnosis of food allergies and unnecessary dietary restrictions. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment of allergies requires specific IgE testing (either skin or blood tests) based on the patient’s clinical history of signs and symptoms to optimize both cost effectiveness and patient care.
For more information:
Bernstein IL, Li JT, Bernstein DI, et al. Allergy diagnostic testing: an updated practice parameter. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2008 Mar;100:S1–148. PMID: 18431959.
NIAID-Sponsored Expert Panel: Boyce JA, Assa’ad A, Burks AW, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of food allergy in the United States: report of the NIAID-sponsored expert panel. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2010 Dec;126(6 Suppl):S1-58. PMID: 21134576.
Sicherer SH, Wood RA, et al. Allergy Testing in Childhood: Using Allergen-Specific IgE Tests, Pediatrics. 2012 Jan;129(1):193-197. PMID: 22201146.