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Question
How is the cause of an allergy identified?
Options
By exposing the patient to or injecting very small doses of potential allergens and studying the reactions
By analyzing bacterial cultures from the patient's blood
By measuring blood glucose levels and electrolytes
By performing imaging studies of the respiratory tract
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Solution
The cause of an allergy is identified by exposing the patient to or injecting very small doses of potential allergens and then studying the reactions. This diagnostic approach, known as allergy testing, includes skin prick tests and intradermal tests where small amounts of allergen are introduced to the skin to observe local reactions. A positive reaction (wheal and flare) indicates sensitization to that specific allergen, helping identify the causative agent.
