IgE Food Allergy testing

IgE is a class of human immunoglobulins or antibodies. Normally, the function of IgE is to fight parasitic infections. IgE antibodies are misdirected in allergic individuals to fight harmless substances like pollen, mite particles, or common foods. Elevated IgE antibodies are necessary for allergies (immediate, Type 1 immune responses) to occur.
 
IgE Food Allergy Explorer is an allergy blood test done at home. It measures the concentration of specific IgE antibodies in the blood to 150 different antigens, including foods, pollens, mites, insect venom, and more. The detection of IgE indicates SENSITIZATION to a specific allergen. It is important to understand that being IgE sensitized and having positive IgE antibodies does not guarantee a clinical response. In fact, patients with positive IgE test results for a specific antigen fall into two categories:
IgE sensitized and allergic
IgE sensitized and non-allergic
IgE Food Explorer's Component Allergy Testing Allows For:
Determination of cross-reactive allergens. Cross-reactivity occurs when two different antigens have a similar makeup at the molecular level, and a person's immune system reacts to both allergens. For example, someone may be IgE sensitized to birch pollen but may also react to certain fruits.
 
Assessing the severity of the immune response or reaction. Specific components (or proteins) are associated with a higher risk of severe or systemic reactions than others. For example, only certain peanut proteins (components) are associated with anaphylaxis.
 
Facilitating better lifestyle management. For example, if a patient is negative result for certain components in cow's milk, they may be able to consume dairy that has been baked but will need to avoid raw.
 
The IgE Allergy Explorer can benefit patients with any of the following symptoms could benefit from allergy testing:
Itchy mouth or oral irritation
Hives or eczema
Itching or swelling of skin
Nasal and sinus congestion
Wheezing or shortness of breath
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
History of allergic reaction
Fluctuations in heart rate