Local allergic rhinitis is an immune system response to allergens in the environment, usually affecting the nose, eyes, and throat. To test for this condition, a doctor may use a combination of physical examination, medical history, and allergy tests. Allergy tests may include a skin prick test, a patch test, a blood test, or a nasal challenge test. Skin prick tests and patch tests involve applying a small amount of potential allergens to the skin to observe a reaction. Blood tests measure the amount of immunoglobulin E in the bloodstream and a nasal challenge test involves introducing allergens into the nasal passage.