Childhood Allergy Test Panel

This test may be right for children and teens ages 10-17 who have experienced symptoms that could be related to food or indoor allergens, or when parents want to better understand possible allergy triggers.

You may want to consider this test if your child or teen has:

• Reactions after eating certain foods, such as rash, hives, stomach discomfort, or itching
• Ongoing allergy-like symptoms, including nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, or itchy eyes
• Symptoms (see Signs & symptoms section below) that seem to occur more in the presence of pets, or that occur more when indoors
• Eczema or recurring symptoms where allergens may be a possible trigger
• A history of mild allergic reactions and you want more information to discuss with a healthcare provider

This test is not right for you if the child or teen is currently experiencing severe allergic symptoms such as difficulty breathing or chest tightness, throat swelling or trouble swallowing, dizziness, rapid pulse or a severe drop in blood pressure, or signs of anaphylaxis (see Signs & symptoms below). SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE if severe symptoms occur.

Please note: This test reports the presence of IgE antibodies, but the result by itself cannot confirm the diagnosis of an allergy, or how severe an allergic reaction would be. A positive result indicates the body has produced allergy-related antibodies and may suggest a higher chance of having an allergy. Blood allergy test results may not match other allergy tests, such as a skin-prick test. It's important to follow up with your child's healthcare provider, who will review your child's results along with their medical history, signs and symptoms, medications, and any other test results. Only a healthcare provider can diagnose an allergy and prescribe medication, if needed.

This pediatric allergy blood test panel measures the levels of IgE antibodies in your blood made by your immune system in response to the following common allergens:

• Peanut
• Codfish
• Shrimp
• Egg white
• Cow's milk
• Wheat
• Soybean
• Walnut
• Dust mite - D. pteronyssinus (European)
• Dust mite - D. farinae (American)
• Cladosporium herbarum mold
• Alternaria alternata mold
• Cat dander
• Dog dander
• Mouse urine proteins
• Cockroach

IgE antibodies are normally found in small amounts in the blood, but larger amounts can be a sign that the body overreacts to allergens. This overreaction can cause your body to produce histamine and trigger an allergic reaction. There are some foods that can cause serious allergic reactions in people. Milk, egg, fish, shellfish, peanut, tree nuts, sesame seed, soybean, and wheat are the top most common foods/food groups to cause serious allergic reactions.

Allergies may contribute to the following signs and symptoms. If your child or teen experiences these, this test may help identify possible triggers to discuss with a healthcare provider.

• Digestive symptoms including abdominal pain/cramps, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
• Skin symptoms including rash, welts, hives, or eczema flares
• Nasal symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, or itchy/watery eyes
• Respiratory symptoms including nighttime cough, wheezing, or slight breathing discomfort
• Slight tingling, swelling, or itchiness of the mouth, eyes, skin, lips, tongue, face, throat, or any other area of the body
• A history of mild reactions after eating certain foods or if any of the above symptoms worsen around pets, dust, mold, or after extended indoor periods

This test may not be right for the person you are purchasing this test for if they are experiencing the following more severe symptoms. SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION during a reaction. Seeing a specialist is recommended for more appropriate evaluation:

• Chest tightness
• Shortness of breath/constriction and tightening of the airways
• A swollen throat or the sensation of a lump in your throat that makes it difficult to breathe/swallow
• A severe drop in blood pressure or rapid pulse
• Feeling faint, dizziness or lightheadedness or loss of consciousness
• Anaphylaxis (a potentially life-threatening reaction that can cause itching, hives, and skin rash; swelling of the throat, lips, or tongue; and difficulty breathing, potentially causing the body to go into shock)

Most allergic reactions occur within minutes, but some may develop hours after exposure. The reaction to these allergens can vary from a stuffy nose to anaphylaxis. Anaphylactic shock occurs when a person's blood pressure drops so severely that the body's cells and tissues do not receive enough oxygen. Due to the severity of a possible allergic reaction, it's crucial to work with your child's healthcare provider to determine an optimal treatment and prevention plan.

Purchaser: You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a test on questhealth.com.

Patient: This test can be performed on patients between 10 and 17 years old.

Sample collection: This test requires sample collection at a Quest Diagnostics location. Collection is not available in AZ or HI.

Please note: Laboratory testing for children under 18 years of age should always be conducted with the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider. Our tests are designed to support continuity of care, ease of access, and empower families with accessible health information. They are not a substitute for medical evaluation or ongoing care from a pediatrician. Parents should review test results with their child's healthcare provider to ensure appropriate interpretation, follow-up, and treatment in the context of the rest of your child's care. If your child is experiencing symptoms or you have concerns about their health, please contact your pediatrician or seek other medical care immediately.

After you provide your specimen, it generally takes a few business days to process and release your test results. However, processing times may vary. Your test results will be available in a clear and easy-to-read report. If you have or create a MyQuest® account, you may be able to review your new results there with your other Quest results. Independent healthcare providers are available to discuss questions or concerns you may have regarding your results.

Results for this test will be provided to the registered parent.

If results for certain allergen antibodies are abnormal, we’ll automatically run additional, more specific tests on your existing sample at no additional cost to you. These follow-up tests measure IgE antibodies to specific allergen components (ie, individual proteins) to provide more detailed information. This added detail may help your healthcare provider better interpret results and guide next steps. Not all results will require confirmation testing and component testing does not diagnose an allergy or predict how severe an allergy may be. Your healthcare provider can support with allergy diagnosis and next steps.