What is an Allergy Blood Test?
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Allergies are a common problem that affects millions of people worldwide. From food and drugs to environmental factors such as pollen and dust, allergies can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including itching, sneezing, hives, and even anaphylaxis.
Identifying the cause of your allergies is the first step towards managing them, and allergy testing can provide valuable insights into your health. In this article, we will discuss allergy blood tests, including types, cost, and the role of healthcare nt sickcare in helping you book one online.
What is an Allergy?
An allergy is an overreaction of the immune system to a foreign substance, known as an allergen. The body perceives the allergen as a threat and responds by producing antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies trigger the release of histamine, causing allergy symptoms such as swelling, itching, and inflammation.
An allergy blood test checks for immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to potential allergens. It can help identify allergies to foods, medications, pollen, mould, dust mites, insect stings, latex, and other common triggers. The test measures the immune system's response to an allergen.
What is an Allergy Test?
Allergy testing is a medical procedure that helps to identify the allergen responsible for causing an allergic reaction. There are several types of allergy tests available, including skin tests, blood tests, and elimination diets. In this article, we will focus on allergy blood tests.
These tests help uncover the specific allergens, such as certain foods, airborne particles, medications or insect stings, that trigger an inappropriate immune reaction in a patient. This allows appropriate treatment and avoidance measures to manage the allergy symptoms.
What are the Types of Allergy Test?
There are various types of allergy tests available, including skin prick tests, patch tests, elimination diets, and blood tests.
- Skin Prick Test: A skin prick test is a common allergy test that involves placing a small amount of allergen extract on the skin and then pricking or scratching the skin. If you are allergic to the allergen, your skin will become red and swollen.
- Patch Test: A patch test is a type of skin test used to diagnose allergic contact dermatitis, a condition that occurs when the skin comes into contact with an allergen. In this test, small amounts of allergens are applied to patches, which are then placed on the skin for 48 hours.
- Elimination Diet: An elimination diet is a dietary approach used to identify food allergies. In this test, you eliminate certain foods from your diet for several weeks and then slowly reintroduce them to see if you experience any symptoms.
- Complete Allergy Blood Test: A complete allergy test is a comprehensive blood test that involves a combination of, blood tests, and elimination diets to identify all possible allergens. This test is useful for people with multiple allergies or those with severe allergic reactions.
Common Food Allergies
Food allergies are a common type of allergy that affects millions of people worldwide. Some common food allergies include:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Peanuts
- Tree Nuts
- Soy
- Wheat
- Fish
- Shellfish
Food Allergy Test
A food allergy test is a type of allergy blood test that helps identify the specific foods that trigger allergic reactions. A food allergy test measures the amount of IgE antibodies produced in response to specific foods.
Common Drug Allergies
Drug allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to a medication. Some common drug allergies include:
- Antibiotics, such as penicillin and sulfa drugs
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen
- Chemotherapy drugs
Drug Allergy Test
A drug allergy test is a type of allergy blood test that helps identify the specific medications that trigger allergic reactions. A drug allergy test measures the amount of IgE antibodies produced in response to specific medications.
What is an Allergy Blood Test?
An allergy blood test measures the amount of IgE antibodies in the blood in response to specific allergens. It is a less invasive and less time-consuming procedure compared to skin tests. Allergy blood tests are useful for people with skin conditions or those taking medications that interfere with skin test results.
There are two types of allergy blood tests, Specific IgE and Total IgE
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Specific IgE Blood Test: A specific IgE blood test measures the level of IgE antibodies produced in response to a specific allergen, such as peanuts, tree nuts, or pet dander. This test is useful for identifying food and environmental allergies.
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Total IgE Blood Test: A total IgE blood test measures the total amount of IgE antibodies in the blood. This test is useful for diagnosing allergic diseases such as asthma and eczema.
How to Test for Allergies with Blood?
There are two main blood tests used to test for allergies:
- Allergen-specific IgE blood test
- This test measures the level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in the blood for specific allergens like pollen, pet dander, foods, etc.
- A small blood sample is taken from a vein in the arm.
- The blood is sent to a laboratory where it is exposed to different allergen extracts.
- If IgE antibodies are present and bind to a specific allergen, it indicates an allergic sensitivity.
- Results are usually available within a few days to a week.
- This test is good for detecting common environmental, food, and insect allergies.
- Tryptase blood test
- Tryptase is an enzyme released by mast cells during an anaphylactic allergic reaction.
- Measuring baseline tryptase levels can help identify underlying mast cell disorders that predispose to severe allergic reactions.
- An elevated tryptase level after an anaphylactic episode can confirm an acute allergic reaction occurred.
- This test is often used alongside IgE tests to evaluate severe or refractory allergies.
Advantages of blood tests
- No risk of triggering an allergic reaction during testing (unlike skin prick testing)
- Can test for multiple allergens at once
- No restrictions on medications before testing
Limitations of blood tests
- Less sensitive than skin prick tests for detecting milder allergies
- Cannot test for reactions to drugs or venoms
- More expensive than skin testing
Blood allergy tests provide an alternative to skin prick testing, especially for patients with severe eczema, unable to stop medications, or at high risk of anaphylaxis. Results must be interpreted carefully along with the clinical history.
What is the Cost of a Complete Allergy Test?
The cost of a complete allergy test can vary depending on the type of tests performed, the number of allergens tested, and the location. At healthcare nt sickcare, we offer a comprehensive allergy test package that includes a combination of skin tests, blood tests, and elimination diets. The cost of our complete allergy test package starts at INR 6,000.
How healthcare nt sickcare Can Help in Allergy Blood Testing?
healthcare nt sickcare is an automated online medical laboratory based in India that offers a range of diagnostic services, including allergy testing. With our e-commerce website, healthcarentsickcare.com, you can book allergy blood tests online from the comfort of your home. Our allergy test packages are affordable, comprehensive, and performed by experienced professionals using state-of-the-art equipment. We also provide online consultations with expert allergists to help you interpret your test results and manage your allergies effectively.
What are the Different Types of Allergy Blood Tests Available in India?
There are several allergy blood test panels:
- Complete Allergy Test: Screens for over 200 allergens including foods, spices, dust, pollen, moulds, dander, latex, insect stings, and medications.
- Food Allergy Test: Detects reactions to up to 100 of the most common food allergens like milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish, etc.
- Drug Allergy Test: Checks for allergic sensitivity to common medications like antibiotics, NSAIDs, chemotherapy drugs, contrast dyes used in imaging, local anaesthetics, and more.
When should I get an allergy blood test?
Consider an allergy blood test if you have symptoms like hives, eczema, asthma, rhinitis, swelling, rash, diarrhoea, or anaphylaxis after exposure to certain foods, medications or environmental allergens. Testing can help identify the exact triggers to avoid.
How do I get an allergy blood test from healthcare nt sickcare?
healthcare nt sickcare provides convenient allergy blood testing at our labs in Pune. You can book these tests online at healthcarentsickcare.com. Samples are collected through a simple blood draw. Results are emailed to you within 48 hours. Our experts can help analyse your reports and suggest diet and lifestyle changes to manage allergies.
Conclusion
Allergy blood tests are an effective and less invasive method of identifying allergens that trigger allergic reactions. There are two types of allergy blood tests: Specific IgE and Total IgE. A complete allergy test is a comprehensive test that involves a combination of skin tests, blood tests, and elimination diets to identify all possible allergens.
healthcare nt sickcare offers affordable and comprehensive allergy test packages that can help you manage your allergies effectively. So, if you suspect that you have allergies, book an allergy blood test online at healthcare nt sickcare today and take the first step towards a healthier life.
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