Allergies can be frustrating, unpredictable, and sometimes hard to pinpoint. The substances known as allergens can trigger symptoms ranging from mild itching to severe, life-threatening reactions. Allergies occur when the body's immune system overreacts to substances that are usually harmless to most people. 

These substances may include plants, animals, insects, dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, various foods (fruits, veggies, seafood, plant-based foods such as legumes and cereals), meat, dairy, and eggs, antibiotics, insect venoms, and others. 

Common Allergy Symptoms 

Doctors may recommend this allergy test if you experience

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Nasal congestion
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Watery eyes
• Throat tightness
• Breathing difficulties
• Skin rashes
• Hives (urticaria)
• Peeling skin
• Inflammation (skin or other tissues)
• Swollen lips, face, tongue, or throat
• Sudden drop in blood pressure

Severe Allergic Reactions

These may include: 

1. Anaphylaxis: It is a severe or rapid allergic reaction that can affect the whole body. The condition occurs when the immune system overreacts to certain foods, medicines, or insect stings. 

2. Allergic Asthma: This type of asthma is triggered by exposure to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mold spores. 

Allergy March: How Allergies Can Progress Over Time

The allergy march, also known as the atopic march, describes the standard, age-related progression of allergic diseases seen in many individuals, often starting in early childhood and sometimes continuing into adulthood. The concept helps explain why allergic symptoms can change as you age, and why children with one allergic condition may develop others as they grow older. 

Typical Progression of the Allergic March 

The natural progression of allergic diseases starts in early childhood and often continues into adulthood. 

• Infancy (Birth to 1 Year): Allergies often show up first as skin issues, like eczema (atopic dermatitis) or hives (urticaria). 

• Toddlers (1 to 3 Years)

Food Allergies: It's becoming easier to spot food allergies, especially to common allergens such as peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish. 

• Preschool to Early School Age (4-6 years)

Allergic Rhinitis: It's common for people to develop allergic rhinitis, like hay fever or nasal allergies. It happens alongside increased sensitivity to seasonal or environmental allergens. 

• Childhood and Beyond 

Asthma: Asthma can develop, usually in kids who've had eczema or hay fever. Sometimes, these problems persist into adulthood, and new allergies can develop later on, such as reactions to medicines or pets. 

Why Does the Allergy March Happen?

Allergy march, or atopic march, happens because:

1. Immune system changes

Kids' immune systems are still developing, so they can sometimes overreact to specific triggers. As they grow, some symptoms might disappear, but new ones, like breathing-related allergies, could pop up. 

2. Genetic or environmental factors

The allergy screening is helpful if allergies run in your family, skin barrier defects like dryness, redness, and inflammation, changes in exposure to environmental allergens, and changes in what you eat. 

3. Prevention and modification

Early medical intervention, like controlled exposure to allergens, skin care regimen, and new immune treatments, can sometimes alter the march, but there is no guaranteed prevention strategy. 

The Food, Inhalant, and Skin Allergens test is designed to identify a broad range of possible allergens. 

Allergens Covered in the Allergy Screening Test

Allergy screening, whether skin prick test or blood, focuses on a group or set of allergens tested together in a single panel. 

The "107 allergens" panel in this test likely includes common allergens such as: 

Unlike ELISA or ImmunoCAP, an Immunoblot can offer higher accuracy. 

Here is a table of Comparison: ELISA, Immunoblot, ImmunoCAP

We are committed to delivering quality diagnostics with absolute comfort. We use the newest technology and come to your house, so you don't have to visit a center. You'll usually get your easy-to-read report within the promised time frame, helping you take timely actions. 

So, why wait? If you are searching for an allergy test near me, contact us now. Take the first step to manage your allergies better and receive the proper treatment today. 

Test Details

What is the purpose of the Allergy Profile Test? 

The comprehensive allergy plus test is used to: 

1. Detects IgE antibodies: The primary purpose of the test is to identify those IgE antibodies responsible for allergic reactions in your blood. These may include pollen, dust mites, mold, animal dander, food allergies (such as nuts, dairy, seafood, and grains), insect venom, latex, and environmental triggers. 
2. Diagnose allergy disorders: The allergy test also helps in diagnosing various allergic conditions, including:

• Allergic rhinitis
• Asthma
• Atopic dermatitis
• Food allergies
• Anaphylaxis
• Drug allergies
• Urticaria 

3. Explain symptoms: The test supports chronic evaluation of unexplained symptoms such as recurring skin rashes, breathing issues, unexplained itching, swelling, and digestive discomfort. 
4. Guides personalized allergy treatment: By identifying your specific allergens, healthcare providers can create customized allergy management plans. 
5. Monitor treatment progress: The test assesses how well current allergy treatments are working by monitoring changes in specific IgE levels over time. 
6. Beneficial for those with family history: Apart from all the reasons above, the test is recommended if you have a family history of allergies to support early diagnosis and intervention. 

No matter the reason, if you are struggling with unexplained allergies, book our allergy profile test today. It is designed to help you learn the exact triggers, all with just one blood test. Early detection of allergies can significantly improve your quality of life and health outcomes. 

What is the allergy panel test used for?

The allergy panel test is used:

• To confirm the presence of allergies. 
• It investigates the primary triggers behind allergy symptoms, such as itchy or watery eyes, congestion, hives, diarrhea, and eczema. 
• To rule out allergic asthma. 
• Monitoring the effectiveness of allergy treatments
• Advising lifestyle and environmental changes to reduce exposure and symptoms, and improve overall well-being. 

How is the test done?

The test involves a blood draw. The phlebotomist will insert a needle into a vein of the arm, and transfer the blood sample into a collection tube. It will be sent to the lab for analysis. 

No special preparation, such as fasting, is required before the test. Inform your doctor about the medications you are taking. They might ask you to stop taking them to avoid affecting the test results.

What do the test reports indicate?

The allergy panel test results show the amount of total IgE (which informs you if you're generally prone to allergies) and also the levels of specific IgE antibodies for each of the allergens tested. Here is how you can interpret the results: 

• Total IgE level: This allergy screening pinpoints your body's immune system tendency to react to allergens. High total IgE values suggest a likelihood of allergic conditions, but do not indicate specific triggers.
• Specific IgE results: Each allergen in the panel will typically report in kU/L (kilo Units per liter) or IU/mL (International Units per milliliter) antibodies in the blood. Further, the report will show interpretations like positive, negative, or sensitized. 
• Positive Test Results: A positive result means you're sensitive to at least one allergen from the test. Your body reacts to it. You might need to see a doctor or get more tests to confirm the allergy diagnosis. 
• Negative Result: A negative result means this test didn't find any signs of allergies it checked for. However, you could still be allergic to something else. This is because the test may not include everything you're allergic to, or it could be a type of allergy that this test cannot detect. Additionally, food allergies may not show detectable IgE because cooking or processing alters the food. 

Always discuss your test results with your doctor for a precise interpretation and personalized advice. The results may slightly vary depending on the laboratory methods and individual medical conditions. 

What are the risks associated with the test?

The allergy screening is safe and involves minimal risks such as minor pain or discomfort due to needle insertion. You may also experience bruising or bleeding, and a slight risk of infection at the puncture site. Seek medical assistance immediately to prevent complications. 

Ready to Take Control Of Your Allergies? 

Book your Allergy Comprehensive Plus - Food, Inhalant & Skin Allergens (107 Allergens) at an affordable allergy test price of INR 5,999 from Redcliffe Labs.. And, begin your journey towards personalized allergy relief and better health. This LIA panel uncovers the exact triggers behind your symptoms. 

We provide services in 220+ cities in India. By offering accurate, comprehensive results and convenient home sample collection options in your city, we are helping you to manage your allergies like never before. 

Conclusion

The comprehensive allergy plus test is a vital diagnostic tool to figure out what's causing your allergies. It checks your total and specific IgE antibodies to common allergens, giving you essential information for an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan that works for you.