Provocation tests
If a food or medication allergy is suspected, the doctor can decide to perform provocation tests if the allergy is not revealed by the prick tests or blood tests.
This involves injecting the allergens beneath the skin or administering them orally. This is done under controlled circumstances in the presence of a doctor. Depending on your situation, this test can be performed in the day clinic.
Provocation tests are not appropriate with:
- asthma that is not under control
- beta blockers
- the taking of medication to suppress allergic reactions (antihistamines), because these have to be discontinued for one week before the tests and during the tests themselves
- Pregnancy