Environmental Allergy Tests

Environmental allergies occur when your immune system perceives a normally harmless substance (allergen) from your surroundings as a threat to your health.

As a result, allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching, coughing, and breathing difficulties appear. With that, you will need an environmental allergy test along with proper medications.

The Role of Environmental Allergy Tests

To prevent and treat your body’s immune overreactions against these allergens, you should be properly diagnosed first. With that, your doctor may order or conduct allergy testing, specifically an environmental allergy blood test.

Generally, an environmental allergy test helps diagnose if someone is allergic to surrounding items and substances.

Moreover, an environmental allergy blood test detects which allergen causes the overreaction in the immune system. These allergens can range from pollen, dust, animal dander, insects, weeds, grass, molds, etc., which can be found inside your homes, workplaces, or outdoors.

An environmental allergy blood test uses immunoglobulin E (IgE) to identify allergies.

IgE is an antibody produced in high amounts when the body detects allergens. Furthermore, IgE antibodies trigger the release of chemicals like histamines prompting respiratory, digestive, and skin reactions.

Total IgE Vs. Specific IgE

Screening for IgE can be performed through a Total IgE blood test or a Specific IgE blood test. A typical environmental panel includes both blood tests depending on the targeted allergen.

The total IgE blood test simply determines the number of antibodies in the blood. Therefore, it helps detect the allergy per se.

On the other hand, a specific IgE blood test measures the number of antibodies for a particular allergen. It is the type of environmental allergy test you need for diagnosing specific pollen allergies or insect bites.

Who Should Get Tested for Environmental Allergies?

People who show allergic reactions for known airborne triggers or irritants are recommended to get tested for environmental allergies.

For instance, if you’re developing hay fever symptoms, you may have to take an environmental allergy test for an accurate diagnosis.

Likewise, those prone to allergies and living in areas or states where specific allergens are common can benefit from environmental sensitivity testing.

When To Get An Environmental Allergy Blood Test?

If you experience the following symptoms, you may need to undergo an environmental allergy test as soon as you can.

• Rashes
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Itching
• Swelling
• Nasal congestion (allergic rhinitis)
• Troubled breathing
• Tightness around the throat

Consult your doctor when symptoms persist. While allergic reactions are mostly mild, once it gets severe, it can potentially lead to anaphylaxis, a life-threatening immune response requiring immediate medical attention.

Get Tested for Environmental Allergies Near You

Are you looking for an environmental allergy test? Look no further as we have got you covered.

Here at Personalabs, we provide a variety of blood tests designed for environmental sensitivity testing against different types of environmental allergen, among other blood tests.

You can order your environmental allergy panel test online, inclusive of a doctor’s order. You can also check your results in your confidential Personalabs account.

Check out our partner labs nearest your location and secure your blood test anytime, anywhere.