SKIN-TESTS AND FOOD ALLERGY

Major diagnostic difficulties are usually encountered when a food alle rgy is suspected. After a long and precise clinical interview, clinica l examination is often able to confirm the disease presented and asses s the role of a possible allergic component. Skin tests, performed acc ording to precise rules, confirm the sensitization and sometimes guide the subsequent assessment and, in the absence of any ethical obstacle , may indicate the need for a double-blind specific challenge test, th e only way of confirming the responsibility of the food. In the absenc e of this certainty, one or several specific food exclusions can be ju diciously under close clinical surveillance. This exclusion should onl y be continued when it induces lasting clinical remission.