What are allergy blood tests?
Allergy blood tests look for substances in the blood. These are called antibodies. Your body makes them in response to allergens. Allergens are things that the body is allergic to.
There are many types of these blood tests. They include:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, EIA).
- Radioallergosorbent testing (RAST).
- Immunoassay capture test. (These include ImmunoCAP, UniCAP, and Pharmacia CAP.)
- Fluoro-allergosorbent testing (FAST).
- Multiple antigen simultaneous testing (MAST).
Why are allergy blood tests done in children?
These blood tests are done to find out what things your child is allergic to.
How are allergy blood tests done?
A health professional uses a needle to take a blood sample, usually from the arm.
The blood sample will be placed on specially treated paper. It's then sent to a lab to find out if antibodies to any of the allergens being tested are present. If specific antibodies are found, it may mean you are allergic to a certain allergen.
What do the results of allergy blood tests mean?
Normal (negative): | The levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE), a type of antibody, are the same as in a person who does not have allergies. |
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Abnormal (positive): | The levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies for a particular allergen or group of allergens are above the normal level. |
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