Often, a look at the patient’s medical history, including when and where symptoms appear, is enough to reach a diagnosis of hay fever.

However, it is more difficult to determine exactly which allergens are causing the symptoms. An “allergy diary” can help. The patient records his or her symptoms, their severity, time of day when they occur, and how long they last. It is also important to document when medications are taken, and any environmental factors, such as poor air quality, should also be recorded. This documentation may be enough for a doctor to identify the allergen.

However, an allergy test may still be necessary. The following tests may be performed:

• Skin test/prick test
• IgE-Blood test
• Provocation test

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