An allergic screening test is used to identify whether a person has become sensitised to certain proteins found in common allergens. This kind of test helps doctors better understand what may be causing allergic reactions, assess how severe those reactions could be, and decide on the most suitable treatment. By looking closely at the individual components within allergens, healthcare providers can offer more tailored care based on each patient's specific sensitivities.

When a doctor orders an allergy test, it often involves several checks to see how the immune system responds to various substances found in the environment. Rather than exposing someone directly to these allergens, the test is usually done through a blood sample, which is analysed to detect specific antibodies linked to allergic responses.

What is an Allergy?

An allergy happens when the immune system reacts to things that are usually harmless, like certain foods, medicines, pollen, dust, or pet hair. Not everyone has these reactions—some people's immune systems respond differently. In those with allergies, the body makes more IgE antibodies when it comes into contact with specific environmental triggers. Doctors can use tests like the Allergy Screen, Total IgE, and Phadia Top to check for these allergies in adults and children.

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What are the Allergy Screen, Total IgE, and Phadia Top Test?

These tests detect allergic reactions caused by the immune system’s production of IgE antibodies.

The Total IgE test measures the overall IgE level in your blood, indicating how reactive your immune system may be to allergens.

• The Phadiatop component screens for common inhalant allergens like:
• Pollen
• House dust mites
• Animal dander
• Grasses
• Weed pollens

A high Phadiatop IgE level typically suggests that you have an allergy, although it doesn't indicate which specific allergen is responsible.
Doctors may recommend this test if you have ongoing symptoms such as:

• Sneezing or nasal congestion
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Skin rashes or hives
• Breathing difficulties (e.g., wheezing)

No special preparation is usually required, but you should inform your doctor about any medications you're taking, especially antihistamines, as they may influence the test results.

If your test results indicate an allergy, your doctor may advise further tests to pinpoint the exact allergens, such as:

• Specific IgE blood tests
• Skin prick or patch tests

The results help confirm whether your symptoms are due to an IgE-mediated allergy, allowing your doctor to tailor the most appropriate treatment plan.

Since IgE levels vary depending on your age, environment, and health history, it's important to share all relevant medical background for an accurate interpretation.

What are the Allergy Screen, Total IgE, and Phadia Top used for?

This test is commonly advised if you experience symptoms such as:

• Itchy or watery eyes
• Swelling (especially around the eyes or face)
• Breathing difficulties or wheezing
• Skin rashes or eczema
• Nasal congestion or frequent sneezing
• Hives or urticaria
• Digestive issues like diarrhoea linked to allergic responses

It is especially helpful for individuals who:

• Have allergic asthma
• Have a family history of allergies or atopic conditions
• Doctors may also use this test to:
• Monitor the effectiveness of allergy treatment over time
• Help identify possible parasitic infections, which can also raise IgE levels
• The test helps detect sensitivity to airborne (inhaled) allergens, including:
• Pollen from trees, grasses, or weeds
• House dust mites
• Animal dander, such as from cats or dogs
• However, it’s important to note:
• This test does not check for reactions to food, medications, or contact allergens (e.g., latex or nickel)
• Additional testing may be needed to explore non-inhalant triggers
• Identifying the specific allergen type enables doctors to:
• Distinguish between allergy types (e.g., seasonal vs. chronic)
• Recommend the most suitable treatment strategy
• Provide tailored advice on how to avoid known triggers

What do the Allergy Screen, Total IgE, and Phadia Top test measure?

This test looks at two things. First, it measures Total IgE antibodies, which the immune system produces when it reacts to allergens. Second, it checks for specific IgE antibodies against common airborne allergens like dust, pollen, pet dander, grass, and weeds using Immunocap.
When your body comes into contact with an allergen, it produces IgE antibodies. These cause certain cells to release histamine, which leads to allergy symptoms. The test helps doctors determine if your allergy is caused by allergens (atopic) or something else so that they can recommend the best treatment. With the right care, allergies can be managed to improve your daily life.

About Total IgE

Immunoglobulins, or antibodies, are proteins made by special immune cells called plasma cells. They appear when your body detects harmful things like bacteria, viruses, or allergens. There are five main types, but IgE is linked to allergies.

IgE is involved in reactions to substances like pollen, pet hair, mould, certain foods such as eggs or peanuts, latex, and insect stings. Normally, you have very little IgE in your blood, but this increases when your immune system reacts to an allergen. The Total IgE test measures how much IgE is present, giving doctors an idea of whether allergies are a factor and how severe they might be.

What is the Phadiatop allergy test?

The Phadiatop test is a reliable way to check if someone is allergic to things in the air, like dust, pollen, pet hair, mould, grass, and weeds. It looks for special antibodies in your blood that show if your body is reacting to these common allergens.
Because it's very accurate, the test helps doctors determine if these airborne substances cause your allergy. If the test returns positive, you might need more tests to determine which allergen is causing your symptoms.
Understanding your Allergy Screen, Total IgE, and Phadiatop test results

• Increased Total IgE levels often reflect an immune system response to allergens, indicating the presence of an allergic condition.
• Parasitic infections can also cause a rise in Total IgE, though this is less common in comparison to allergies.
• A high Total IgE value suggests your body is reacting to something, but it does not reveal the specific trigger.
• Individuals with sensitivities to multiple allergens generally show higher IgE concentrations, but the level alone doesn't indicate the number or type of allergens.
• The Phadiatop test serves as a screening tool for detecting IgE antibodies to a broad range of inhaled allergens.
  A positive result from the Phadiatop test points to an allergic tendency, but it still doesn’t identify the exact substance causing the reactio
• In cases of elevated results, further tests, like allergen-specific IgE assays or skin prick tests, are needed to identify precise triggers.

Conclusion

The Allergy Screen, Total IgE, and Phadiatop tests work together to help find and manage allergies. The Allergy Screen gives a general idea of how your immune system reacts. Total IgE measures the overall level of allergy-related antibodies in your blood, and the Phadiatop test looks specifically for antibodies against common things in the air like pollen or dust.
Together, these tests help doctors determine if your allergy is caused by IgE antibodies, spot likely triggers, and decide if you need more detailed testing. This information helps your doctor develop a treatment plan for you and helps avoid things that cause your symptoms. In short, using these tests gives a better picture of your allergies and helps make managing them easier, so you can feel better day to day.

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