Provocative Inhalant Testing and Treatment

THE PROVOCATIVE inhalant test is a deliberate intracutaneous injection of a potent inhalant extract of sufficient quantity and strength to provoke a mild systemic reaction, and the immediate injection of weaker (or, occasionally, stronger) dilutions of the identical antigen to relieve the provoked symptoms.Lee's experience with foods led him to believe that provocative testing for inhalants was feasible and would be of distinct value in testing and treatment, especially when the patient failed to show improvement with serial dilution antigen titration technique.Provocative inhalant testing is done for house dust, molds, animal danders, and the pollens of trees, grasses, and weeds.Atmospheric contaminants vary with seasonal changes. In inhalant-sensitive patients, sensitivities will show great variations with seasonal change and pollen toxicity. Foods can be controlled in the diet, but inhalants cannot be controlled by the patient.It is the opinion of the senior author that provocative testing and