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Inhalation Allergy Test

Name: Inhalation Allergy Test | Homed-IQ
SKU: 400501
Price: 89.00 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.7 (763 reviews)

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Are you experiencing symptoms like sneezing, watery eyes, or itchy skin, but are unsure of the cause? Learn your reactivity to common inhalation allergens that may be triggering symptoms, including grasses, trees, moulds, dust, and pet allergens. Identifying specific allergens can allow you to take steps to reduce your exposure and alleviate chronic symptoms.

Test method: Dried blood spot test

What do we test for?

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About the test

Symptoms

What is an allergy?

About the test result

Sample Result

FAQ

About the test

This test measures IgE reactivity to 30 allergens. If an IgE reaction is visible in your result, this may indicate a possible allergy.

This test checks for the presence of the following allergens:

Category	What is tested?
Animal hair and dander	Dog, cat, rabbit, horse
Mites	Dust mites (Dermatophagoides pte, Dermatophagoides farinae, Blomia tropicalis), Flour mite (Acarus siro)
Moulds	Candida Albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Alternaria alternata
Grass Pollens	Bermuda grass, Orchard grass, Timothy grass, Meadow Grass, Cultivated rye, Cultivated wheat
Tree Pollens	Silver birch, Hazel, Oak, Olive, London plane, Italian cypress, American Ash
Weed Pollens	Ragweed, Mugwort, English Plantain, Wall Pellitory
Other	Cockroach, Latex

Please note: an official allergy diagnosis requires a follow-up appointment with a GP and/or allergist.

How does our allergy test work?

1. Collect the blood sample
The test kit contains everything you need to easily collect a blood sample. Using the lancets provided, prick yourself in your finger and fill 5 circles on the dried blood spot card with blood. This provides enough material for accurate analysis.

2. Return the sample
Once you have collected the blood sample, return it to our laboratory in the provided prepaid return envelope.

3. Analysis and test results
At the laboratory, your blood sample will be analyzed for reactivity to 30 allergens. When the test results are available, you will be notified by email and text message.

Does this test control for cross-reactions?

Cross-reactions in allergies occur when the proteins in one allergen are similar to proteins in another allergen. This can mean that the IgE antibodies that are produced against one allergen may also bind to other allergens, creating an allergic response. For example, someone with a tree pollen allergy may also experience a reaction to apples, as these allergens are very similar.

Homed-IQ’s allergy tests take many known cross-reactions into account by examining the specific components that make up an allergen, allowing for differentiations to be made between similar allergens. While this reduces the likelihood of your test results being affected by cross-reactivity, certain test results may require additional analysis due to potential cross-reactions. Therefore, we always recommend that you discuss all test results with an allergy specialist.

Symptoms

The following symptoms are common with allergies such as hay fever, dust mites, animals or pollen and can vary in severity.

Runny or stuffy nose
Postnasal drip (mucus running down the back of your throat)
Sneezing
Itchy, watery eyes
Coughing
Chest tightness or shortness of breath
Wheezing
Itching in nose, throat, or ears
Fatigue (due to disturbed sleep from symptoms)

What is an allergy?

Allergies occur when the body’s immune system reacts abnormally after being exposed to certain substances that it perceives as a threat. These substances are known as allergens. During this reaction, your immune system releases a number of chemicals to protect the body and prevent the spread of the allergen, causing allergic reaction symptoms. These symptoms can include a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, and itching.

Allergic reactions can occur to a variety of things, such as food, medications, pollen, dust, or animals. Allergies to substances that are not easily seen in our environment, like pollen or certain trees, can be particularly hard to identify and are usually generalized as “hayfever”.

However, knowing the specific allergens you are sensitive to can help you avoid exposure and reduce chronic symptoms of allergies.

What are IgE antibodies?

Allergic reactions are caused by a specific antibody in the immune system called immunoglobulin E (IgE). Testing the amount of IgE in your blood in response to certain allergens can indicate whether your body may develop an allergic reaction to certain substances or not.

This test assesses your IgE reactivity to 30 common inhaled allergens using a simple finger-prick blood sample that can be taken from home. The results of this test can be used to make efforts to remove the allergen from your home and immediate surroundings, or direct allergy treatment to alleviate symptoms.

About the test result

This test examines how your immune system responds to 30 specific environmental allergens by measuring whether an IgE immune response occurs. A positive reaction may indicate a sensitivity or allergy to these substances. It is important to discuss your test results with a physician if there is an allergic reaction. Together, you can determine if further steps are necessary for a definitive diagnosis of allergy.

You will receive a detailed summary of your reaction to each of the allergens, ranked by degree of reactivity.

If my test result is reactive, does that mean I definitely have an allergy?

Not necessarily. An allergy test alone cannot diagnose an allergy. Allergy test results must be interpreted by a doctor along with your symptom history. They may also order additional tests to confirm the allergy. Use your results as a basis for further discussion with an allergy specialist or healthcare provider to determine the best course of action.

What guidance will I get with my results?

Your test results will include:

An overview of your IgE reactivity level to each of the 30 allergens tested, ranging from very low to very high.

Information on each allergen and guidance on when and where you may encounter it and how it can affect your daily life.

Practical advice on how to avoid allergens and reduce your symptoms.

Information on how to get in touch with a medical specialist through our digital platform.

Below is an overview of the different reactivity categories (0 to 6). It is also explained what the reactivity means for a possible allergic reaction.

Class	Reactivity
0: No reactivity	No IgE reactivity. These allergens are unlikely to cause symptoms.
1 to 2: Low reactivity	Low IgE reactivity has been detected to these allergens. You may have an allergy to these environmental allergens if you experience adverse symptoms after inhaling them. If you encounter symptoms, speak to your doctor about potential diagnosis and treatment for allergies.
3 to 4: Significant reactivity	Significant IgE reactivity has been detected to these allergens. You may have an allergy to these environmental allergens if you experience adverse symptoms after inhaling them. If you encounter symptoms, speak to your doctor about potential diagnosis and treatment for allergies.
5 to 6: High reactivity	High IgE reactivity has been detected to these allergens. You may have an allergy to these environmental allergens if you experience adverse symptoms after inhaling them. If you encounter symptoms, speak to your doctor about potential diagnosis and treatment for allergies.

Sample Result

What will my test results look like?

Your test results come with an explanation of your reactivity to each allergen and what that could mean for your allergy symptoms. It also includes:

Information about each allergen, where you may encounter it, and the specific times of year you should watch out for it. This is specifically relevant for tree, weed, and grass pollens, that can peak at specific moments during the year.

Your test result also comes with a downloadable laboratory report that you can bring to your doctor or an allergist for further testing and investigation. Allergies can be diagnosed by a doctor through a combination of test results, symptom history, and a physical examination.

Frequently asked questions

Is this an allergy test?

Yes, this is a test for IgE-mediated allergy response. Non-IgE mediated reactions, such as food sensitivities or intolerances, cannot be measured by this test. The results of this test indicate IgE reactivity to certain allergens. However, it is possible elevated IgE levels are not associated with allergy symptoms. The results of this test should be interpreted with whether symptoms occur after exposure to the allergen. Allergy diagnosis should be confirmed with a doctor who can review your history of symptoms, and not from test results alone.

What are allergies?

Allergies are strong, immediate immune reactions to a particular substance, also known as an allergen. Allergens can include foods, medications, pollens, dust mites, or spores. This reaction causes a release of histamines and IgE antibodies, prompting symptoms such as hives, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, tingling mouth, and swelling of the eyes, lips, tongue, and throat.

What causes allergies?

The cause of allergies is still unclear, but there are many theories. One possibility, according to researchers, is genetics. Many studies have found that allergies can be hereditary, meaning children are more likely to have allergies if their parents had them too. Diet and environmental factors, including exposure to allergens during childhood, are also believed to play a role in allergy development, but there is no conclusive evidence on exactly how this occurs.

How long does it take to obtain my allergy test result?

Once the sample has reached our laboratory, results can be obtained in a matter of hours. Generally, it usually takes a total of 2-4 weeks for the results to be made available.

Can you see an allergy in blood?

Blood tests are one way to detect and diagnose allergies. Allergy blood tests measure the amount of allergen-specific IgE antibodies in the blood. If IgE antibodies are elevated for a specific allergen it may mean that you have an allergy. Allergy blood tests are recommended if skin testing is not possible, such as if a large number of allergens need to be tested or there is a risk of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Blood testing for allergies is a valuable testing method that is easy to use. However, there is always a chance of false negative or positive results, particularly for allergens known for cross-reactivity. All test results from an allergy blood test should be confirmed with a healthcare professional before an allergy diagnosis can be made.

Who should take this test?

This test is ideal for anyone experiencing symptoms like a stuffy nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, coughing, skin rashes, fatigue, or headaches, which may indicate allergies. Often, these symptoms are confused with the common cold, making allergies hard to diagnose. Allergies are a significant health concern, with various triggers including pollen, pet dander, moulds, and household pests.

What is an allergic reaction?

An allergic reaction happens when your immune system mistakenly treats harmless substances like pollen or pet dander as threats, triggering IgE antibodies to release histamine. This leads to symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes. Allergies can vary from mild to severe and may be seasonal or year-round, depending on exposure levels to these allergens.

How does this test compare to other types of allergy tests?

In Western-Europe, allergy testing typically involves either a skin prick test or a blood test. The skin prick test involves exposing your skin to allergens to see how you react, while a RAST blood test measures your IgE antibody levels against various allergens. While skin prick tests are usually cheaper, their cost can vary based on health insurance, and they require a doctor's visit due to the risk of immediate allergic reactions. They also can't be conducted if you're on antihistamines or have certain skin conditions. Blood tests, on the other hand, are a less invasive option that doesn't require stopping medication and can be done without direct exposure to allergens. Our at-home test offers the convenience of checking IgE levels without a visit to the doctor, testing for common inhalation allergens. It's a practical choice for those seeking to understand their allergies from the comfort of home.

How long does it take to obtain a test result?

Once the sample has reached our laboratory, results can be obtained in a matter of days. You will receive an email notification when your sample reaches the laboratory and when the results are available.

What is hay fever?

Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever is an allergic reaction that causes sneezing, runny nose, and watery, itchy eyes. Hay fever is caused by the nose or eyes coming into contact with environmental allergens, such as pollens, grass, dust mites, or animal fur. Hay fever is usually worse between late March and September, especially when it's warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is at its highest.

What is the difference between hay fever and allergies?

Hayfever is a type of allergic reaction that occurs in response to common airborne substances in the world around us, such as pollen or dust. While many allergic reactions occur after eating or touching a certain allergen, many of the causes of hay fever are invisible to the human eye. This can cause long-term (chronic) symptoms that can be mistaken as a cold or other illness, and can be difficult to avoid. Hay fever is often seasonal, meaning it occurs when trees, grasses, and weeds release pollen into the air.

How can I avoid hayfever?

Most people manage hay fever by avoiding allergens in their daily life, as well as using medications such as antihistamines and nasal sprays. Allergy testing can also help to identify potential triggers for hay fever in order to help you to avoid them in the future. It’s important to note that an allergy diagnosis must be made in consultation with a doctor who can consider your test results in conjunction with your symptom history.

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