Pre test Information : No Special Preparation Needed

An allergy blood test measures immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in your blood. IgE is an antibody produced by your body. If you have allergies, you may have higher levels of IgE in your blood than usual. 

Allergies are a common, chronic condition that affects your immune system. Your immune system produces antibodies to combat viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. Allergies occur when your immune system misidentifies one or more harmless substances, such as pollen or peanuts, as a threat. Your immune system produces IgE antibodies to combat the "threat." This is the source of your allergy symptoms. 

Allergens are non-harmful substances that can cause allergies. Some common allergens are: 

• Pollen 
• Dust
• Mold
• Dander from animals
• Certain foods, such as nuts and shellfish,
• Certain medications, for example, penicillin.
• Allergy symptoms vary according to the type of allergy you have. They can range from itching and sneezing to asthma or a potentially fatal condition known as anaphylactic shock. 

Other names for this test include IgE allergy test, Quantitative IgE, Immunoglobulin E, Total IgE, Specific IgE, RAST, CAP, and ELISA. 

What is its purpose?

Allergy blood tests are used to determine whether or not you have an allergy. There are two kinds of allergy blood tests: 

• The total IgE test determines the total amount of IgE antibodies in your blood.
• A specific IgE test determines the amount of IgE produced by your body in response to a single allergen. Each allergen that may be causing your allergies is tested separately.

What is the purpose of an allergy blood test?

If you have allergy symptoms, your doctor may recommend allergy testing. These are some examples: 

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Watery, itchy eyes
• Hives (itchy raised red patches on the skin)
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Breathing difficulty
• Coughing
• Wheezing

If allergy skin testing is not possible, your provider may order an allergy blood test. Skin testing entails putting allergens on or into your skin. You may be unable to undergo skin testing if you: 

• Have specific skin conditions
• Take any medications that may have an impact on the test results.
• Are prone to severe allergic reactions to the allergens used in skin testing

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