Evidence check: hsCRP in the context of Allergie

hsCRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) is a non-specific marker of systemic inflammation, primarily used in clinical practice for cardiovascular risk assessment. In the context of allergies, observational studies have found elevated hsCRP levels in patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis, especially during exacerbations or in severe cases. However, the evidence is largely associative and not causal. hsCRP rises in any systemic inflammatory state—infection, obesity, smoking—and is therefore not specific to allergic disease. Direct-to-consumer (DTC) tests often market hsCRP as a general 'inflammation check' without highlighting its low specificity or the lack of clinical guidelines for allergy management. An elevated hsCRP alone does not warrant an allergy diagnosis or treatment change. Instead, specific IgE testing, skin prick tests, and a thorough clinical history are required. Caveat: hsCRP is influenced by lifestyle factors (weight, exercise, smoking); interpretation without clinical context is misleading. Evidence grade: human-observational.