Allergy - Comprehensive Package (by Elisa)

The Allergy-Comprehensive Package includes a blood test that helps evaluate possible allergic sensitisation by measuring total IgE and allergen-specific IgE antibodies. Allergies occur when the immune system reacts to substances such as dust, pollen, foods, or medicines by producing IgE antibodies, which can lead to symptoms affecting the nose, eyes, lungs, skin, or digestive system.

This package measures total IgE levels in your blood along with IgE antibodies to 145 specific allergens. It covers inhalant allergens such as house dust, mites, pollens, moulds, animal dander, and bird allergens, as well as food allergens including cereals, pulses, milk and dairy, meat, seafood, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and spices. It also includes drug, insect, and industrial or chemical allergens. The package may be recommended for individuals experiencing recurrent sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy or watery eyes, wheezing, persistent cough, hives, rashes, or digestive symptoms after eating certain foods. Those with a history of allergic reactions to medicines, severe allergic reactions, or a family history of allergies or asthma may also benefit from this package.

This package requires a blood sample, which a trained phlebotomist will collect at your home at the scheduled time. No fasting or special preparation is required before the test. Your doctor will interpret the results in the context of your symptoms and exposure history. Based on this assessment, your doctor may advise allergen avoidance, appropriate treatment, or further evaluation, if required.

This test may be recommended for individuals who:

• Experience recurrent sneezing, runny or blocked nose, or itchy, watery eyes on exposure to dust, pollen, pets, or certain environments.
• Have frequent coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or breathlessness.
• Frequently develop skin reactions such as hives, rashes, itching, swelling, or eczema.
• Experience symptoms such as itching or swelling of the lips, mouth, or throat, abdominal pain, vomiting, or diarrhoea after eating certain foods.
• Have had an allergic reaction after taking a certain medicine.
• Experience symptoms of exposure to insects, moulds, damp environments, or household or occupational substances such as detergents, perfumes, paints, or hair dyes.
• Have a history of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and require identification of possible triggers.
• Have a family history of allergies, asthma, eczema, or allergy-like symptoms.
• Have allergy symptoms that recur in particular seasons.
• Have been advised by their doctor to evaluate suspected allergies before starting allergen avoidance measures or allergen immunotherapy.

This package may help evaluate the following allergy-related conditions. Further tests and clinical assessment may be required to confirm a diagnosis.

• Allergic rhinitis: Sneezing, runny or blocked nose, and itching triggered by dust, pollen, pets, or moulds.
• Allergic conjunctivitis: Red, itchy, and watery eyes caused by airborne allergens.
• Allergic asthma: Wheezing, coughing, and breathlessness triggered by inhaled allergens.
• Food allergy: Reactions to foods such as milk, egg, nuts, seafood, cereals, pulses, fruits, or spices.
• Drug allergy: Immediate allergic reactions to certain medicines, such as antibiotics or painkillers.
• Insect allergy: Reactions to insects such as mosquitoes and house flies.
• Mould allergy: Sensitivity to moulds and yeasts, including Aspergillus, which may also help in evaluating allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.
• Allergic skin conditions: Hives (urticaria) and eczema (atopic dermatitis) linked to allergic triggers.
• Occupational and chemical allergies: Reactions to substances such as detergents, perfumes, paints, hair dyes, or wood and paper dust.
• Anaphylaxis triggers: Identification of possible causes of a severe allergic reaction.

Note: Raised total IgE levels may also be seen in conditions such as parasitic infections and certain immune disorders, which may require further evaluation.

What to expect before the sample collection?

• Fasting is not required for this package. You may schedule the test for any time of the day.
• Tell your doctor about any prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, vitamin supplements, or herbal products you take, as some may affect specific test results. Do not stop taking any prescribed medication unless your doctor specifically advises you to do so.
• If you have any medical conditions or have recently undergone surgery or a medical procedure, tell your doctor.

What to expect during the sample collection?

• The sample collection process is simple and usually takes only a few minutes.
• A trained phlebotomist will visit your home at the scheduled time. They will clean the blood draw site, usually on the inner arm, with an antiseptic swab. They will then wrap an elastic tourniquet around the upper arm to make the vein more visible. They may also gently tap on the vein.
• A small needle is then inserted to draw the blood sample, which may cause a brief pinprick or mild sting. Once the required amount is collected in a tube, the needle is removed, gentle pressure is applied, and a small bandage is placed over the site.
• If you are prone to fainting or have anxiety about needles, mention this to the phlebotomist before the sample collection. They can make the process more comfortable, such as doing the procedure while you are lying down instead of sitting up.
• You can stay calm and relaxed by breathing slowly, or distract yourself by talking with a friend or family member, or playing music to make the process smoother.

What to expect after the sample collection?

• You can resume your normal activities soon after this test.
• Mild pain, bruising, or tenderness at the blood collection site may occur but typically resolves within a day or two without treatment.
• Once your sample is analysed, the reports will be uploaded to the PharmEasy platform, where you can download them.
• Share your results with your doctor. They will review and interpret them along with your symptoms, medical history, and any other investigations before recommending further evaluation, treatment, or lifestyle changes, if required.

This test measures the following:

1. Total IgE antibodies in your blood

2. IgE antibodies in your blood to specific allergens:

• Animal dander and epithelia such as dog dander, cow dander, goat dander, cat dander, horse dander and buffalo dander.
• Bird allergens such as pigeon droppings, chicken droppings, pigeon feathers and chicken feathers.
• Cereals and grains such as rice, bajra, gluten, oats, millet, semolina (rawa), barley, ragi, jowar, wheat flour and maize.
• Drug allergens such as bromhexine, penicillin, brufen (ibuprofen), norfloxacin, metamizol, xylocaine, paracetamol, amoxicillin, erythromycin, sulpha, diclofenac, tetracycline, ampicillin, cloxacillin, ciprofloxacin, insulin, oxacillin, tinidazole, doxycycline, cefixime, aspirin and ofloxacin.
• Fruits such as banana, fig, strawberry, guava, pear, lemon, apple, raisin, orange, melon, papaya, watermelon, cherry, mango, kiwi, grape, plum, pineapple, pomegranate and coconut.
• Grass and weed pollens such as parthenium, bermuda grass, timothy grass, Johnson grass and mugwort.
• Household dust and mites such as storage mite, house dust mite, cotton linters, wood dust, paper dust, house dust, hay dust and cockroach dust.
• Industrial and chemical allergens such as detergent, perfume, tobacco, hair dye and paints.
• Insect and venom allergens such as mosquito and house fly.
• Meat and poultry such as egg, chicken, beef, mutton and pork.
• Milk and dairy such as yogurt, casein, cheese, curd, milk, beta lactoglobulin and alpha lactoglobulin.
• Mold and yeasts such as yeast, aspergillus fumigatus, aspergillus niger and mushroom.
• Nuts and seeds such as pumpkin seed, mustard, almond, sunflower, peanut, cashew nut, pistachio nut and sesame.
• Pulses and legumes such as peas, chickpeas, rajma dal, soya bean, masoor dal, moong dal, lentil, dal channa, urad dal, and toor dal.
• Seafood allergens such as fish, prawn, crab and shrimp.
• Spices and flavourings such as turmeric, clove, cumin, saffron, fennel seed, chocolate, cocoa, ginger, cardamom, curry and honey.
• Vegetables such as eggplant or aubergine, brinjal, cauliflower, garlic, tomato, cucumber, capsicum, cabbage, spinach, chilli pepper, potato, sweet potato and onion.

Interpretation of Total IgE Results:

Interpretation of Allergen-Specific IgE Results:

Potential Risks and Complications

• Blood sample collection for the comprehensive allergy package is generally safe and carries very little risk.
• You may experience a brief pinprick, mild pain, tenderness, or slight bruising at the blood draw site, which usually settles within a few days.
• Some people may feel light-headed or faint during or shortly after the blood draw. Although uncommon, there is also a small risk of infection at the puncture site.
• Rarely, excessive bleeding may occur, particularly in people taking blood-thinning medications or those with bleeding disorders.
• In some cases, a haematoma (a small collection of blood beneath the skin) may develop, causing a raised bruise at the needle insertion site.
• These side effects are usually mild, temporary, and resolve without specific treatment.

Understanding the Allergy-Comprehensive Package Limitations

• A positive result may indicate sensitisation, which does not always mean a true allergy.
• Some allergies may show low or undetectable IgE levels.
• IgE levels cannot predict how severe a reaction will be.
• The test cannot detect food intolerances, coeliac disease, or non-IgE allergic reactions.
• Raised total IgE may be caused by conditions other than allergy, such as parasitic infections and certain immune disorders.
• Cross-reactivity between similar allergens may produce misleading positive results.
• Results may require confirmation through skin prick testing or a supervised food challenge.

• Skin prick test: Checks for immediate skin reactions to selected allergens and may help evaluate suspected IgE-mediated allergies.
• Component-resolved diagnostics: Identify IgE antibodies to selected individual allergen components and may help distinguish sensitisation to particular proteins from cross-reactivity.
• Oral food challenge: Confirms or rules out a suspected food allergy.
• Patch test: Detects delayed allergic reactions, such as contact dermatitis caused by metals, cosmetics, or fragrances.
• Serum tryptase: May help confirm a recent severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) and evaluate certain mast cell disorders.
• Basophil activation test: A specialised test used in selected cases to confirm allergies when other results are inconclusive.