Examination for atopic dermatitis
The main indication for this panel is atopic dermatitis in a child, especially moderate and severe, as well as regurgitation, bloody diarrhea and poor weight gain. It is important to understand the modern approach: a positive test in itself is not a reason to exclude a product. The diagnosis of food allergy is confirmed by the connection of symptoms with the consumption of a specific product, and, if in doubt, by controlled administration of the product under the supervision of a physician. Unreasonably broad elimination diets in children lead to nutritional deficiencies and, according to modern data, can even contribute to the formation of allergies, since early exposure of the immune system to a product normally develops tolerance to it.
Blood test instead of skin test
Determination of specific IgE in the blood has important advantages over skin tests: it can be carried out during an exacerbation, while taking antihistamines, with severe dermatitis, when the skin is unsuitable for testing, and in young children. There is also no risk of a systemic reaction, since the allergen is not introduced into the body.
The panel format allows you to immediately test a group of related allergens in one blood draw - it is cheaper and more informative than testing each one separately.
How to read the result
- class 0 - no antibodies detected
- class 1 - low level, clinical significance is questionable
- grades 2–3 - moderate level, reaction is likely
- grades 4–6 – high and very high level, reaction is very likely
The main rule of interpretation
The presence of specific IgE means sensitization - the readiness of the immune system to respond, but not the allergy itself. A diagnosis is made only if laboratory data coincide with real symptoms after contact with this allergen. That is why you should not exclude a product from the diet only on the basis of analysis, without clinical manifestations - especially in children.