Beta-Lactoglobulin Allergy IgE Blood Test

Order a beta-lactoglobulin allergy IgE blood test to detect an allergy to beta-lactoglobulin. This test measures the amount of allergen-specific antibodies in a blood sample.

There are several proteins in cow's milk that can cause allergies. The whey protein beta-lactoglobulin is one of the most frequently implicated in allergic reactions. The beta-lactoglobulin protein is heat sensitive. Individuals who only react to this heat-sensitive protein may be able to tolerate milk-containing products that have been cooked or baked.

Many individuals with an allergy to cow's milk are allergic to sheep's or goat's milk, too. This is because the proteins in other animals' milk are comparable to those present in cow's milk, and the immune system can therefore consider them hazardous.

An allergy to beta-lactoglobulin triggers a reaction in an individual's immune system. The body views certain substances as toxic and produces IgE antibodies to these contaminants. These antibodies cause histamine to be released, which will cause the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Allergy symptoms vary from one individual to the next ranging from mild to severe reactions, which can be experienced within minutes to hours after consumption or exposure. Common symptoms of a beta-lactoglobulin allergy may include one or more of the following symptoms:

• Hives
• Swelling of the tongue, lips, or throat
• Itching or tingling feeling around the mouth or lips
• Watery eyes
• Wheezing
• Runny nose
• Coughing or shortness of breath
• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting