What providers should know about allergy testing

We’re here to help you recognize undiagnosed allergies in your patients and distinguish allergy symptoms from other conditions with specific IgE blood testing. Understand allergy testing options and enhance your ability to create individualized treatment plans for your patients.

  • Bring relief to allergy sufferers with an accurate diagnosis
  • Provide more value to patients with allergy testing
  • Easily order tests—and interpret results

Browse the Labcorp allergy test menu

What patients need to know about allergies

You may experience allergy-like symptoms but aren’t sure if allergies are the cause. Learn how allergy testing from a small blood sample can help identify the cause of your symptoms so you and your primary care provider can better manage your health and relieve your symptoms. 

  • Understand allergens and allergy testing
  • Get answers about your allergies
  • Learn how your body reacts to common allergens

How Labcorp helps deliver answers

We’re committed to making allergies easier to understand. From educational resources for providers and patients to allergy test interpretation, get the resources you need to find answers and take control of allergy symptoms.

  • Featured allergy terms
  • Allergy resources for providers
  • Allergy materials for patients

 

Living with allergies—you’re not alone

Allergies affect more than 50 million people in the U.S. each year and are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S.1

Learn how you can get the answers you need through allergy testing to feel more informed and empowered with your health.

Understand your allergy testing options

Take control of allergy symptoms

  • Watery eyes
  • Sneezing
  • Runny nose
  • Wheezing
  • Rashes
  • Hives
  • Scratchy throat
  • Coughing
  • Congestion
  • Stomach pain
  • Swelling of lips, tongue and/or throat

How testing helps detect allergies

With just one blood draw, healthcare providers have a quick and simple way to get answers about allergy symptoms.

Results from a single blood sample, along with an exam and medical history, can help healthcare providers establish an accurate diagnosis and create a treatment plan.

SPECIFIC IgE BLOOD TESTING

A powerful tool with one blood sample

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is an antibody naturally produced by the immune system.

If a person is exposed to an allergen—a usually harmless substance like pollen, pet dander or a certain food—and their type of IgE mistakenly identifies an allergen as an “invader,” their immune system could:

  • Overreact and produce IgE antibodies that travel to cells in the body, such as cells in the skin, throat, nose or lungs
  • Release chemicals in the body that cause an allergic reaction, producing mild or severe allergy symptoms 2

An allergen-specific IgE test measures the levels of certain IgE antibodies—with just one sample of blood—to help identify which allergens may be causing unwanted symptoms.

Learn more terms in allergy resources

Ask your primary care provider about testing

Anyone can request (or obtain) IgE allergy blood testing from their primary care provider—and it doesn’t matter if you are taking medication, are pregnant or have skin conditions.

A wide range of tests can identify 500+ relevant allergens—including grasses, foods, molds and animal dander—to help you get the allergy answers you need.  

View the Labcorp test menu

Take charge of your health: Get answers about common allergy topics

Food sensitivities and allergies

Find the source of your food allergy, such as milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, fruits, vegetables, sesame seed, soy or wheat.

Asthma and respiratory allergies

Identify and potentially reduce relevant allergens and irritants that increase symptoms.

Pediatric allergies

Pinpoint the source of common allergies in children.

Stinging insect allergies

Identify allergic reactions to venom from stinging insects, such as honey bees and wasps.

Environmental and workplace allergies

Indoor allergies, in the workplace or in school, may cause year-round symptoms, which may get worse with environmental or seasonal allergies.

Pet and animal allergies

Pets are considered part of the family but may be a source of allergy symptoms.

Skin allergies

Skin irritation, rashes, swelling or hives may be related to an allergy. 

Drug allergies

An allergy to an over-the-counter medication or prescription drug typically appears as a skin reaction, such as a fever, rash or hives, but a drug allergy can also cause a serious condition called anaphylactic shock. 

It's time to take control of allergies.

References

1. American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. (2018). Allergy Facts. https://acaai.org/news/facts-statistics/allergies Accessed 27 June 2022.
2. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) Defined.
https://www.aaaai.org/Tools-for-the-Public/Allergy,-Asthma-Immunology-Glossary/Immunoglobulin-E-(IgE)-Defined Accessed 27 June 2022.