Use

This test is useful for establishing a diagnosis of an allergy to Russian thistle, defining the allergen responsible for eliciting signs and symptoms, and identifying allergens responsible for allergic responses and/or anaphylactic episodes. It is also used to confirm sensitization prior to beginning immunotherapy and to investigate the specificity of allergic reactions to insect venom allergens, drugs, or chemical allergens. However, testing for IgE antibodies is not useful in patients previously treated with immunotherapy or in those for whom medical management does not depend on allergen identification.