Allergy testing is carried out to diagnose allergies so that treatment may be undertaken. Any substance can potentially cause an allergic reaction, which may range from minor to potentially life threatening. Some common allergens include lactose, wheat, animal dander, shellfish, and dust. There are many tests that can be used to determine an allergen such as blood tests, elimination diets, and scratch or puncture tests, just to name a few. The treatment will depend on the person’s level of involvement with the allergen, but at a minimum, practitioners will recommend that you avoid the allergen wherever possible. Some allergy tests can only be performed by medical doctors but many natural therapists such as naturopaths (link to naturopathy) and nutritionists (link to nutrition) will use some form of allergy testing in their diagnosis.