Use

This test is useful for establishing a diagnosis of an allergy to giant ragweed and defining the allergen responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms. It is also used for identifying allergens responsible for allergic response and/or anaphylactic episodes, confirming sensitization prior to beginning immunotherapy, and investigating the specificity of allergic reactions to insect venom allergens, drugs, or chemical allergens. Testing for IgE antibodies is not useful in patients previously treated with immunotherapy to determine if residual clinical sensitivity exists or in patients in whom the medical management does not depend upon identification of allergen specificity.