Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: No special preparation required.
- Turnaround: 2-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday or lab delays.
What's Included
The Cherry Allergy IgE Blood Test measures the amount of allergen-specific IgE antibodies to Bing cherry (F242) in your blood. It is a single food allergen test. It looks only at cherry-specific IgE and does not test for any other foods or allergens.
Cherries can also be an ingredient in candies, baked goods, jellies, jams, juices, and preserves. This test does not measure IgE to those products separately. It measures IgE to Bing cherry only.
A cherry-specific IgE result alone does not confirm a clinical food allergy. Your healthcare provider can interpret it alongside your history and symptoms.
Benefits
- Measures IgE antibodies specific to Bing cherry (F242).
- Requires only a blood sample.
- Needs no special preparation.
- Gives you cherry-specific IgE information to discuss with your healthcare provider.
- Provides results online in 2-5 business days.
Who Is This Test For?
- People who have had a reaction after eating cherries.
- People who react to foods made with cherries, such as jams, juices, or baked goods.
- People with symptoms such as hives, skin rashes, or swelling of the lips, face, or tongue after eating cherries.
- People with digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea after eating cherries.
- People who want cherry-specific IgE information to discuss with their healthcare provider.
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What does this test measure, and how is it different from other food allergy tests?
The result reflects the amount of allergen-specific IgE antibodies to Bing cherry (F242) in your blood. It is a single-allergen test, so it does not provide results for other foods. It also measures IgE only. Other antibody types are not measured and are not interchangeable with IgE.
2. Who should consider this test, and when?
If you notice hives, rashes, swelling, digestive upset, or other symptoms after eating cherries or foods made with them, this test may be worth considering. Symptoms can appear within minutes to hours after exposure and vary from mild to severe. Testing does not replace medical evaluation, so seek prompt care for severe symptoms such as difficulty swallowing or wheezing.
3. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
No special preparation is required.
4. How quickly will I get results?
Expect results in 2-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday or lab delays.
5. How should I interpret my results, and what if they are abnormal?
A result shows the amount of cherry-specific IgE detected in your blood. It cannot confirm a clinical food allergy on its own, predict how severe a reaction might be, or show whether cherries are safe for you to eat. Interpretation depends on your result, history, and symptoms. If your result is outside the reference range, review it with a qualified healthcare provider, who can decide whether further evaluation is appropriate.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No special preparation required.
Cross-Reactivity
Cross-reactivity may occur when the immune system recognizes similar proteins in different foods or pollens. This test measures only IgE to Bing cherry (F242) and does not test for anything listed below. The examples are not exhaustive and do not mean you will react to any of them. Depending on your history, symptoms, or your healthcare provider's guidance, related allergen testing may be worth discussing.
- Birch pollen: Birch pollen allergy is often accompanied by reactions to fresh fruits, including cherry, because birch pollen and cherry share structurally similar proteins.
- Peach, apricot, and plum: Cross-reactivity has been reported among these related fruits and cherry, though some people react to only one of them.
- Apple and pear: Their major allergens are similar to birch pollen and cherry proteins, so some birch-sensitized people may react to more than one.
- Hazelnut, celery, and carrot: These foods contain proteins related to a major birch pollen allergen, and some people sensitized to it may also react to them.
