[Bronchial asthma--how important is the clarification of the allergy component?].

Bronchial asthma is a chronic disease underlying which is an inflammatory cascade. Allergic reactions have an important role to play, in particular in the case of children and adolescents. An allergological investigation is of great importance in the initial diagnostic work-up of an atopic diathesis, and for the identification of the allergen. Exhaustive history-taking is the essential first measure in the stepped diagnostic approach. In-vivo and in-vitro tests such as the prick test and total IgE can provide information about the extent of the atopy as well as support for the clinical suspicion, but they are not proof of the presence or absence of a clinically relevant sensitization. Further allergological tests (e.g. provocative test) are usually indicated only in specific problems, and should remain the domain of the allergologist or pneumologist.