Where Can You Get An Allergy Test

Bring Relief To Allergy Sufferers With An Accurate Diagnosis

Many patients and providers may skip allergy testing and move straight to pharmacotherapy to treat allergy symptoms, typically using antihistamines for respiratory symptoms.

Empiric symptom management seldom uncovers the cause of patients symptoms and may result in overtreatment, ineffective treatment, repeat office visits and high medication costs.1

Get the support you need with convenient allergy testing options and help improve your patients quality of life.

SIMPLE TESTING IN THE PRIMARY CARE SETTING

Allergy Tests Without A Doctors Exam Usually Are Not Reliable

Many drugstores and supermarkets offer free screenings. And you can even buy kits to test for allergies yourself at home. But the results of these tests may be misleading.

• The tests may say you have an allergy when you do not. This is called a false positive.
• These free tests and home tests for food allergies are not always reliable.

A Powerful Tool With One Blood Sample

Immunoglobulin E is an antibody naturally produced by the immune system.

If a person is exposed to an allergena usually harmless substance like pollen, pet dander or a certain foodand their type of IgE mistakenly identifies an allergen as an invader, their immune system could:

• Overreact and produce IgE antibodies that travel to cells in the body, such as cells in the skin, throat, nose or lungs
• Release chemicals in the body that cause an allergic reaction, producing mild or severe allergy symptoms 2

An allergen-specific IgE test measures the levels of certain IgE antibodieswith just one sample of bloodto help identify which allergens may be causing unwanted symptoms.

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The Wrong Test Can Be A Waste Of Money

Allergy tests can cost a lot. A skin allergy test can cost $60 to $300. A blood test can cost $200 to $1,000. A blood test for food allergies can cost hundreds of dollars, and testing for chronic hives can cost thousands of dollars. Your health insurance may not cover the costs of these tests. And without a doctors exam, the test may not even tell you what is causing your symptoms or how to treat them.

When To Contact A Doctor

An at-home allergy test should not replace a visit to a primary care doctor or an allergist or immunologist.

These tests may not always be accurate, so a person should interpret their results with caution and seek follow-up tests with a healthcare professional. Alternatively, people may speak to their doctor instead of using an at-home allergy test.

The American College of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology recommends seeing a healthcare professional if:

• A persons allergies cause chronic sinus infections, nasal congestion, or breathing difficulties.
• A person has true IgE-mediated food allergy symptoms, such as hives, swelling, vomiting, wheezing, or anaphylaxis
• A person experiences hay fever or other allergy symptoms for several months per year.
• Over-the-counter medications do not help or cause unpleasant side effects.
• Allergies interfere with a persons day-to-day activities or decrease their quality of life.
• A person experiences warning signs of severe asthma, such as struggling to catch a breath, wheezing and coughing, frequent shortness of breath or chest tightness, or frequent asthma attacks.

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What Are The Types Of Allergy Tests

There are two main allergy testing methods that can assess the presence of allergen-specific IgE antibodies: skin-prick test or blood test.

With the skin prick test, your clinician would prick the skin with a puncturing device containing a small amount of a suspected allergen.8 Common areas for pricking include the back or the inner side of the forearm.8 A test is considered positive for a particular allergen if a person has a visible reaction typically within 30 minutes.8

If a skin test cannot be done or if you are looking for an alternative, an allergy blood test can be ordered. This method is often more favorable for infants and pediatrics than multiple skin pricks. Once a patients blood is drawn, it is sent to the laboratory for analysis, and results are sent back to the clinician for review. The laboratory method most used is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . The ELISA test uses specific IgE antibodies to detect immune response in the body.9 With a single sample of blood, multiple allergens can be detected simultaneously.9 This is seen with the EUROLINE Allergy test which can detect up to 54 allergens in a single run. EUROIMMUNs portfolio contains over 400 different allergens and these EUROLINE profiles are available for various regions and commonly seen food and inhalation allergens.

Best For A Hair Sample Test: Simply Health Checks Ultimate Health

• Sample method: This test requires a hair sample.
• Pro: It may be more suitable for people who prefer not to take blood samples.
• Con: There is currently no scientific evidence that hair samples can indicate food allergies or intolerances.
• Price: This test costs $140.

Simply Health Check states that its Ultimate Health test checks for more than 900 allergies or intolerances, including those to dairy and gluten.

The company says it uses bioresonance technology to check a small hair sample.

However, there is currently that hair samples can indicate food allergies or intolerances.

A person receives their results via email within 35 days after the company receives the sample.

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Why Is Allergy Testing So Random In Kids

It seems strange that an allergist would tell a parent wait a few months and see what happens, but its important to remember that infants, toddlers, and children are still adjusting to their own bodies and health conditions. Allergies similar to asthma can be outgrown. They can change to different allergens over time, too.

Since conducting an allergy test for a baby or a child can be stressful and scary for a child and parent, an allergist will only do it if there is a serious need for it. While it seems strange to think that it is so dependent on the situation, rest assured that these are professionally trained allergists that will be able to make informed decisions about everyones case specifically. This is what is considered to be the best way to make sure that everyone says healthy and happy.

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Choose One Lab: Labcorp Or Quest Or All

Walk-In Lab is contracted with LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics for routine lab testing. Please choose LC or QD to complete your order. If you prefer to receive a kit by mail for specimen collection, please see our Home Test Kits. LC and QD tests must be ordered separately.

LabCorp: Online lab testing is prohibited in MA, MD, NY, NJ and RI.

Quest Diagnostics: Online lab testing is prohibited in AZ, NY, NJ and RI.

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So When Should You Have Allergy Tests

If you have allergy symptoms, you may get relief from self-help steps and over-the-counter drugs. If these steps do not help your symptoms, then it is time to see your doctor.

The doctor should ask you about your medical history and make sure you get the right tests. If your medical history suggests that you have an allergy, your doctor might refer you to an allergist or immunologist for testing.

• A skin test is the most common kind of allergy test. Your skin is pricked with a needle that has a tiny amount of something you might be allergic to.
• If you have a rash or take a medicine that could affect the results of a skin test, you may need a blood test.
• For chronic hives, you usually do not need an allergy test. However, your doctor might order tests to make sure that the hives are not caused by other conditions, such as a thyroid disorder.

This report is for you to use when talking with your healthcare provider. It is not a substitute for medical advice and treatment. Use of this report is at your own risk.

07/2012

Can I Have A Test For Wheat Intolerance

There is currently no diagnostic test for wheat intolerance, so the best way to find out if you have an intolerance is to try cutting out wheat products from your diet.

It may be that the cause of your symptoms is coeliac disease. This is an autoimmune disease triggered by eating gluten that can cause diarrhoea, stomach aches, bloating, flatulence, indigestion, and constipation, as well as tiredness and weight loss. The test for coeliac disease normally involves having a blood test, followed by a biopsy.

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Get Answers About Your Allergies

Getting answers about your allergies can start with your primary care provider. Along with a physical exam and medical history, your provider can order a simple blood testcalled a specific IgE blood testto better understand your allergic triggers and:

• Prescribe appropriate medication
• Help you reduce exposure to certain allergens
• Create a customized treatment plan for controlling your reactions and reducing your symptoms

Immediate Action Required: Call 999 If:

• you get a skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
• you’re wheezing
• you get tightness in the chest or throat
• you have trouble breathing or talking
• your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling

You could be having a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

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Types Of Allergy Tests

The most common forms of allergy tests are the skin prick tests and the blood tests.

If you have skin prick testing, you will be pricked on the arm or back a number of times, with a tiny amount of allergen dropped onto the pinprick. If you are allergic, where you were pricked will become swollen and itchy. This generally subsides within 2 hours. Although skin prick testing can be uncomfortable, most people find it tolerable. The results are available within 20 minutes.

Blood tests can be also used to test for allergies. They may be used when skin testing is not suitable, such as for people who have severe eczema or who are taking medications that may interfere with the test.

Other, less common allergy tests include:

• intradermal skin testing
• and oral allergen testing

Can I Have A Test For Lactose Intolerance

Yes, but a food intolerance is not the same as an allergy, so the tests are completely different.

In people with allergies, the immune system interprets normal substances as harmful and releases attacking chemicals like histamine. In people with food intolerances, the body simply has trouble digesting a specific substance.

In the case of lactose intolerance, the issue is normally a lack of lactase. This is an enzyme that helps your body to break down lactose . Rather than being broken down into glucose and galactose in the small intestine, the lactose is broken down in the colon. This process releases acids and gases that cause bloating, flatulence, and diarrhoea.

A test for lactose intolerance may not be needed your GP may simply advise that you cut dairy from your diet for a couple of weeks to see if your symptoms improve. Sometimes they may want to do some tests to check:

• how much hydrogen is in your breath people with lactose intolerance produce more hydrogen than normal
• your blood glucose levels after drinking milk or a lactose solution your glucose levels will not be affected, or will rise very slowly, if you have lactose intolerance

Your GP may want to do different tests if they suspect that something else is causing your symptoms. Conditions like irritable bowel syndrome can cause similar symptoms, as can an intolerance to the protein in cows milk.

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Component And Reflex Testing

Allergy component testing identifies specific componentssmall protein or molecule fragments of a whole allergenthat may trigger an allergic response.

If component testing identifies an allergen, such as the protein found in cows milk, then reflex testing can help narrow down the results, such as fresh milk versus cooked milk.These tests can help healthcare providers make a more refined diagnosis and answer many relevant questions like:1

• Can the patient tolerate baked egg?
• If the patient has a positive peanut test result, are they at increased risk for systemic reactions, or only mild symptoms?
• Is it the dog, cat, or both causing the symptoms?
• Can a female dog be tolerated?
• Is the bee, wasp, or both species of insects causing anaphylactic shock?
• Is immunotherapy suitable or not and to what allergen?

Understanding allergies on a component level can lead to better symptom management.

Where To Get An Allergy Test

Any healthcare provider can order a specific IgE blood test to aid in the diagnosis of your allergies. But did you know that you can get an allergy test without an in-person visit to a doctor’s office? With or without insurance, you can get access to a quick, personalized allergic sensitization test at a time and place that works for you. Explore the options below to either obtain your own allergy tests or arrange a virtual medical appointment.

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The Risks Of Allergy Testing

Allergy tests may result in mild itching, redness, and swelling of the skin. Sometimes, small bumps called wheals appear on the skin.

These symptoms often clear up within hours but may last for a few days. Mild topical steroid creams can alleviate these symptoms.

On rare occasions, allergy tests produce an immediate, severe allergic reaction that requires medical attention. Thats why allergy tests should be conducted in a doctors office that has adequate medications and equipment, including epinephrine to treat anaphylaxis, which is a potentially life threatening acute allergic reaction.

Call 911 immediately if you have symptoms of anaphylaxis, such as:

• swelling of the throat

Who Should Get Testing

Usually, allergy testing is performed after you experience a reaction to food, the environment, or animals. For example, a child who has never eaten peanut butter experiences a flare-up after a first-taste, showing signs like watering eyes and nose, a rash, coughing or difficulty breathing, hives, itching, or swelling. Your doctor will recommend an allergy panel to confirm the allergy and check to see if there are other foods or environmental factors that could trigger a reaction.

A health care professional also might recommend allergy testing if symptoms last longer than two weeks and keep returning to identify acute or chronic allergies. If you feel like you are always getting sick with congestion or a cough, an allergist can perform testing to determine if asthma or allergies are present.

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How Do I Know If I Need An Allergy Test

If youre allergic to allergens in the air like dust, pollen or pet dander, you may develop allergic rhinitis. Also known as hay fever, this allergic reaction causes:

Food allergy symptoms typically occur within 30 minutes of food ingestion but may occur up to two hours after ingestion. People with food allergies may experience:

• Skin symptoms such as hives, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, generalized itching.
• Respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest or throat tightness.
• GI symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and cramps, vomiting and diarrhea.
• Cardiovascular symptoms such as pale skin, weak pulse, dizziness or lightheadedness.

People who are allergic to latex, fragrances or metals like nickel may develop contact dermatitis. This allergic reaction affects your skin. You may have:

• Burning sensation on skin or blisters.
• Skin rash or itchy skin.

A patch test, performed by a dermatologist, is used to diagnose these types of reactions.

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Provide More Value To Patientswith Allergy Testing

Blood-based testing can be conducted in a primary care setting and is applicable to a wide range of patients. With ImmunoCAPTM specific IgE allergen component testingthe gold standard for in vitro diagnosis of allergic conditions3you can:

• Reveal the root causes of an allergy at the molecular level
• Test for sensitivity to antigenic components, allowing for a more precise way to evaluate an allergy
• Differentiate between species-specific allergy and cross-reactivity
• Assess the risk for more severe, future systemic reactions

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Get The Faqs Straight

• What would prevent me from being eligible for SLIT treatment?
• What ages are eligible for testing?
• Is allergy testing available in all states?
• Is there anything I need to do to prepare for my allergy test?
• I’ve already done an allergy test. Can I send in my allergy test results?
• How long will it take to receive my allergy test results?

What Happens If A Test Shows An Allergy

If your child does have an allergy, the allergist will work with you on a plan to keep your child safe. Youll learn how to help your child avoid foods that arent safe. The doctor also will give you a prescription for emergency medicine to keep with your child all the time in case of a severe allergic reaction.

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Egg Allergy Symptoms From Vaccines

Some vaccines contain egg, for instance the one for yellow fever. The flu vaccine doesnt anymore, so if youre allergic to eggs you should be able to have it.

Ask your healthcare provider for advice. They may suggest a skin prick test to check if you could be allergic to egg before taking certain vaccines.

What Is An Allergy Test

There are a few different types of allergy test, but the basic idea is to work out whats causing your allergy and how severe it is. The tests will be designed to look for different types of allergy which affect the body in different ways, according to the symptoms youve been having.

• Skin prick tests are where a drop of liquid containing an allergen is placed on the skin. The same area of skin is then gently pricked with a needle. If you have an allergy to that particular substance, an itchy red bump will appear where your skin was pricked within about 15 minutes.
• Patch tests are commonly used to diagnose contact dermatitis . With a patch test, a small amount of the suspected allergen is put onto a metal disc which is then taped to your skin for 48 hours.
• Blood tests can be used to check whether your body has created antibodies in response to specific allergens.
• Elimination diets are used to find food allergies. Certain foods are removed from your diet one by one, then gradually reintroduced.
• Challenge testing is also used to find food allergies. This is a supervised test where you eat increasing amounts of the suspected allergen. You have to do this under strict supervision, as medical staff need to be present in case of a severe reaction.

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