Diagnosis of allergies, first step

After analyzing the patient's report at the consultation, as well as the symptoms detected during the physical examination, the physician may determine that the symptoms must be related to an allergic process. The diagnosis and treatment of these processes is performed in stages using different methods in each one of them:

• First stage: Taking a medical history.

• Second stage: Allergic tests.

• Third stage: Controlled exposure tests.

First stage. Taking the patient's clinical history. The objective of the first stage is to establish the relationship of the symptoms with the causative food or foods, in order to determine what other tests or studies to perform.

In the clinical history should be collected, among others, the following data:

• Detailed description of all symptoms.

• Frequency of its manifestations according to the time of the day, the time of the year.

• Suspected relationship between the ingestion of a food and the onset of symptoms.

• Ingredients and methods of preparation of the suspected food.

• Length of time it takes for symptoms to appear after ingestion of food.

• Possible origin of the symptoms due to the effects of stress.

• Approximate time of onset of the condition.

• Possible links to your work activity.

• Possible links with smoking.

• Existence of pets.

• Medications consumed.

• Suffering from chronic diseases.

• Family history of allergic disorders.

• In infants it is necessary to specify the date of introduction of different foods as well as data of interest on breastfeeding.

• The treatment required and the time it takes for the symptoms to disappear.

In order to facilitate the identification of the cause of the allergy, in the elaboration of the clinical history, it is very useful to have a dietary diary that includes:

• Everything the patient ingests, including small food portions, ingredients and condiments.

• In the case of industrial foods, take data from the labels with all the manufacturer's information.

• Description of any reaction observed, noting characteristics, time, etc.