Methods for treatment of a Type I allergy in a mammal comprise administering to an individual in need of such treatment a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1 or the mature protein, amino acids 25-260, of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1, or a fragment of the polypeptide or the mature protein, which fragment shares epitopes for antibodies with the polypeptide or the mature protein, respectively, or a hypoallergenic form thereof that is modified to abrogate or attenuate its IgE binding response. Diagnostic kits comprise the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1 or the mature protein, amino acids 25-260, of the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1, immobilized on a solid support.