Let's talk about the Allergy Blood Test!

Do you sometimes suddenly start sneezing? Or do you get red rashes on your body after eating certain foods? Or do you scratch your eyes and nose after a dusty breath? The reason for these things could be that you have an allergy to something. So, today we are going to talk about a special blood test that can help you find out exactly what this allergy is.

What exactly is an allergy blood test?

Simply put, this is a test that looks for a type of antibody called `Immunoglobulin E` , or `IgE` for short, in your blood. Think of our immune system as an army that defends a country. The soldiers in this army are called antibodies. When certain things (we call these `allergens`) enter our bodies, our immune system thinks, `Oh, this is an enemy.` Then these `IgE` soldiers start to grow in large numbers to fight against that `enemy`. If you are allergic to something, you may have higher levels of this `IgE` in your body than a normal person, especially when you are exposed to that allergen.

Now look, what are these 'allergens' we're talking about?

These can be very common things:

• Foods: Some people are allergic to things like milk, eggs, peanuts, fish, and shrimp.
• Household dust: The problem is the tiny creatures (dust mites) in this dust.
• Latex: A type of rubber used to make things like gloves and balloons.
• Insect bites and venom: Zoology such as mosquitoes, ticks, and wasps.
• Types of Molds: Molds that grow in damp places.
• Pet fur, saliva, and urine: Not only the fur of cats and dogs, but also the proteins in their saliva and urine can cause allergies.
• Pollen: Pollen from trees and flowers during flowering.
• Certain medications: For example , some people are allergic to medications like penicillin .

Are there any types of these blood tests?

Yes, there are mainly two types of these allergy blood tests. Let's talk about that a little bit.

1. Total IgE test:

This measures the total amount of `(IgE)` antibodies in your blood. However, it cannot tell you exactly what you are allergic to. It is also not a very sensitive test. Sometimes, even in people who have only mild allergies, this `(Total IgE)` level can be shown to be normal. This means that although it can give you a small idea, it does not give the full picture.

2. Specific IgE test:

This is what is often important. This test measures the amount of `(IgE)` antibodies in your blood that are produced against a particular allergen . For example, if you want to see if you are allergic to peanuts, you would look for `(Specific IgE)` that is specific to peanuts. This is a more sensitive test than the `(Total IgE)` test mentioned earlier. This means that the results obtained from this test are likely to be more accurate.

When do we need a blood test like this?

If you have any of the following conditions, your doctor may suggest you have this allergy blood test:

• Allergic Rhinitis: This is also called 'Hay Fever'. It is often caused by things like pollen, pet dander, or molds in the environment. Symptoms include frequent sneezing, a runny nose, a stuffy nose, and itchy eyes.
• Anaphylaxis: This is a very severe, sometimes life-threatening allergic reaction. It can be caused by certain foods, such as peanuts, insect stings, or other allergens. It can cause sudden difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. This is an emergency.

Additionally, if you frequently experience one or more of the following symptoms, a doctor may consider this blood test:

• Hives: The sudden appearance of red, swollen, itchy welts on the body.
• Itchy, red, or watery eyes.
• Dyspnea: A feeling of difficulty or shortness of breath.
• Skin rash: A red, itchy rash that appears as bumps or blisters on the skin.
• Frequent sneezing.
• Sore throat (pharyngitis): A scratchy, sore throat (not all sore throats are caused by allergies).
• Nasal congestion, itchy nose, or nasal discharge.
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, eyes, or face.
• Wheezing, chest tightness, or allergic asthma.

If you have these symptoms, it's best to see a doctor right away and get advice. He or she will then decide whether you need this type of test or not.

How does this blood test work?

As we've talked about before, when you have an allergy to something, your immune system makes antibodies called `(IgE)` to fight against that allergen. This blood test checks to see if the level of `(IgE)` in your blood is higher than normal.

Think of it this way, when those `(IgE)` antibodies are produced, it results in the release of other chemicals like `histamine` inside your body. Those `histamine` things are what actually cause you those allergy symptoms (things like itching, sneezing, runny nose). So, by checking your `(IgE)` levels with a blood test, you can get an idea of ​​whether you have an allergy.

But here's an important thing to remember. This allergy blood test usually can't tell you exactly how serious your allergy is. That is, just because your `(IgE)` level is slightly elevated, it doesn't mean you have a very severe allergy. Also, even if your `(IgE)` level is normal, you can sometimes have a minor allergy. Therefore, it's not a good idea to make decisions based on this report alone. Your doctor will come to a conclusion based on your symptoms.

Is there anything I need to prepare before this test?

This is very simple. You don't need to do anything special to prepare for this allergy blood test. Some blood tests require you to fast for a few hours before taking the test, but this one doesn't require that. You can eat and drink normally.

However, if you are taking any medications (especially allergy medications), it is a good idea to tell your doctor beforehand. He or she may ask you to stop taking certain medications a few days before the test. However, you should not stop taking any medication without your doctor's advice.

What happens when you take the test? It's very simple!

This allergy blood test is a very simple procedure that takes just a few minutes to complete. There's no need to worry. Here's what usually happens:

1. First, a nurse in the lab or a phlebotomist (a person specially trained to draw blood) will find a vein in your arm. Most often, blood is drawn from the elbow.

2. Then, a thin needle is inserted into the vein and a small amount of blood is drawn. At this point, you will feel a slight prick , and you may feel a little pain. But it will go away in a few seconds. Take a deep breath and try to relax.

3. After collecting the required amount of blood into a small tube (collection tube), they remove the needle.

4. It is recommended to place a small piece of plaster or a piece of cotton wool on the area where the splinter was removed and hold it in place.

That's it! It's over very quickly. After that, you can go home normally.

What do the test results say?

Everyone has some amount of `(IgE)` in their blood. That is normal. However, if this `(IgE)` level is higher than normal, it can be suspected that there is an allergy.

But there's something else here. Each lab uses a different brand of allergy blood tests. Therefore, the scoring system for the results in the report can vary slightly from one lab to another. That means the level of what is considered 'high' can vary slightly from one lab to another.

As we mentioned earlier, it's usually difficult to tell exactly how severe your allergy is from these blood tests. However, there are some specific allergy tests (called `allergen components tests`) that can sometimes give you some idea of ​​the severity of your allergy.

Therefore, if the report confirms that you have an allergy, be sure to talk to your doctor about the risk of `anaphylaxis`. `anaphylaxis` is a sudden, severe allergic reaction. If you are at risk, your doctor may advise you to keep an `epinephrine` injection (a medicine that can be used in an emergency) with you at all times. This is very important, because it can save a life.

How long does it take for the report to arrive?

The results of this allergy blood test can usually take a few days to come back. Sometimes it can be a little longer or shorter. It varies from lab to lab and depending on the type of test being done.

After you donate blood, you can ask the lab or the doctor who ordered the test to find out when to expect the report.

Can these tests give false positives?

Yes, this is also an important thing to be aware of. Sometimes these allergy blood tests can give `false-positive results` .

What is a 'false positive result'? Simply put, it's when the test report shows that you have an allergy, even though you're not actually allergic to that substance.

Studies have found that sometimes 50% to 60% of these blood test results that come back as 'positive' are not actually related to an allergy. That is, just because the report says 'positive', it doesn't necessarily mean you're allergic to that thing.

This is why an allergy blood test is ordered based on your signs and symptoms. A doctor doesn't just do this test. They check to see if the report matches what you're saying and the symptoms they see.

If the doctor has any doubts about your report, he may ask you to do additional testing to be sure.

When should I talk to my doctor?

If you have any questions or concerns about the results of your allergy blood test, be sure to see your doctor again. Don't just wait and see.

Also, if you are diagnosed with an allergy, be sure to discuss with your doctor what treatment is needed and what precautions you need to take to reduce the risk of a severe allergic reaction. Sometimes, it may be necessary to completely eliminate a food from your diet. If it is something like dust, you may need to pay special attention to the orderliness and cleanliness of your home. The most important thing is to discuss all of this with your doctor and plan a plan that works for you.

What is the difference between a blood allergy test and an allergy skin test?

The two main testing methods for allergies are blood tests and skin prick tests (also called allergy skin tests ). Let's look at the main differences between the two.

Allergy Skin Test:

In this, a doctor will make tiny pinpricks on your skin (usually on your arm or back). Then, they will put a few drops of the allergens you think you might be allergic to on the pricked areas. After about 15-20 minutes, if you are allergic to something, the area will become red, slightly swollen, and itchy, like a mosquito bite.

Now let's see the differences:

• Speed ​​of results: Skin tests can give almost immediate results, within 20-30 minutes. However, blood tests take a few days to produce results.
• Accuracy: Skin tests are often considered more accurate.
• Can everyone do it?: This is important. Some people cannot do skin tests. For example:
• If you have certain skin conditions (e.g. eczema, psoriasis).
• If you regularly use medications such as antihistamines for allergies (these medications can cause incorrect skin test results).
• If you have very dark skin, it can sometimes be difficult to see the reaction clearly.
• Skin testing can also be risky for people with severe allergies.

In such cases, an allergy blood test is the best option.

Finally, allergy testing can vary greatly from person to person. Your doctor will discuss with you the best test and treatment options for you, based on your symptoms and health status. If you find out you have an allergy, be sure to talk to your doctor about ways to minimize the severity of your reaction.

So, what are the most important things we need to remember? (Take-Home Message)

I hope you now have a good idea about the Allergy Blood Test we talked about. Let's remind ourselves of these points again:

• This blood test measures the level of antibodies called ``(IgE)`` in your blood. These are produced in excess when you are allergic to something.
• There are two types of tests: `(Total IgE)` (which looks at everything in general) and `(Specific IgE)` (which looks at something specific). `(Specific IgE)` is the most informative.
• This test generally cannot tell the severity of the allergy. However, some specific ``allergen components`` tests can give some idea.
• No special preparation is required before the test, but tell the doctor about any medications you are taking.
• It may take several days for the results to come back.
• There is a possibility of ``false-positives.'' Therefore, doctors make decisions based on symptoms.
• If you have any questions about the results, be sure to talk to your doctor. Discuss the risk of anaphylaxis and epinephrine .
• Allergy skin testing is another option, but it is not suitable for everyone.

The most important thing is that if you have allergy symptoms, don't just sit around and see a doctor and follow their advice. Then you can figure out exactly what's going on and live your life to the fullest.

Wishing you good health!

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