What is allergen-specific IgE testing?

Also known as: allergen-specific immunoglobulin E blood test, allergy blood test, ImmunoCAP, RAST, Skin prick testing, allergy skin test, allergy testing.

Allergen-specific IgE testing can either be a skin test or a blood test. The skin test is the most common way of testing for allergies and is relatively painless. It works by directly challenging the allergy cells in your skin to a specific allergen.

The blood test checks to see if your body has made allergy antibodies (IgE antibodies) to the specific allergens. This is generally used if skin tests are unsafe to use or do not work, like if you are taking certain medications or have skin conditions that would interfere with the testing.


Reviewed by: Amy S Feldman, MD

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM

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