
Health Tip: Understanding Allergy Blood Testing
(HealthDay News) -- Allergy testing may be recommended for people who suspect they react to allergens such as animal dander, food, dust or pollen.
When you have an allergy, your immune system treats this type of harmless substance as a threat. To fight this perceived threat, your immune system makes antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE), the U.S. National Library of Medicine says.
Measuring the levels of IgE antibodies in your blood may indicate how sensitive you are to specific allergens.
Symptoms of an allergy commonly include: stuffy nose, sneezing and watery eyes. Signs of a more serious reaction may include trouble breathing or vomiting.
Testing your blood involves taking a sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. This usually takes less than five minutes.
The results of this testing can help your doctor recommend a treatment plan, which could include allergy shots that ultimately make you less sensitive to the things to which you react.
Related Articles
Search Allergy Articles
FDA Approves First Nasal Spray to Curb Anaphylaxis, An Alternative to Injections
Rare Red Meat Allergy Linked To More Tick Species
Antibiotics Might Increase Risk of Childhood Asthma, Allergies
Check Your Pantry, Lay's Classic Potato Chips Recalled Due to Milk Allergy Risk
Radon Exposure Linked to Increased Asthma Symptoms in Children
Exercise in Pregnancy Might Lower Baby's Odds for Asthma Later
Some Cases of Recurrent Wheeze in Kids May Need New Treatment
Race-Neutral Formulas Improve Asthma Detection in Black Children
Obesity Raises Risk of Severe Infection, Especially in People With Diabetes
FDA Proposes Ban on a 'Useless' Decongestant, Phenylephrine
What You Need to Know About FluMist, the Nasal Flu Vaccine
Blood Test May Help Predict How Long Immunity Lasts
Severe Flu Season Raises Concerns About Brain Complications in Kids