An effective test to determine whether an individual is allergic to a specific substance is to

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Testing for levels of IgE specific for the allergen is the most effective way to determine whether an individual is allergic to a specific substance. IgE is the antibody that mediates allergic reactions, and levels of IgE specific for the allergen will be elevated in individuals who are allergic to the substance. Testing for the allergen in the blood or for high levels of IgG in the serum may not be as specific or sensitive as testing for levels of IgE specific for the allergen. Injecting high levels of the allergen to see if the patient goes into anaphylactic shock is not a safe or ethical method of testing for allergies.

An Effective Test to Determine Whether an Individual Is Allergic