4 questions that can rule out allergies

ASKING patients just four questions could rule out those who mistakenly believe they have an allergy and go on to pursue costly tests, researchers say.

Some 10 to 12 per cent of the general adult population think they have a food allergy – but only 1 to 2 per cent actually have one.

Experts from the University of Edinburgh asked 143 patients the following: ‘Do you have, or have you ever had, hay fever? Do any of your parents or siblings have, or have they ever had, hay fever? Do your allergy symptoms vary when you go from place to place (such as on holiday)? Is there a specific trigger that always sets off your allergy symptoms?’

The authors concluded that, for those who answered no to the four questions, almost 90 per cent had no allergy.

The study was published in the British Journal of General Practice.