Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: No special preparation required.
- Turnaround: 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday or lab delays.
What's Included
This test measures paprika/sweet pepper-specific IgE antibodies in a blood sample. It looks at one biomarker only: F218-IgE Paprika/Sweet Pepper.
Paprika is a ground spice made from peppers in the Capsicum annuum family. Allergen-specific IgE antibodies are part of the immune response involved in some allergic reactions.
This test measures IgE antibodies to paprika only. It does not measure other spices, peppers, foods, or antibody classes. A result reflects the presence of paprika-specific IgE. It is not a stand-alone confirmation of a clinical food allergy.
Benefits
- Measures allergen-specific IgE antibodies to paprika/sweet pepper.
- Uses a simple blood sample.
- Requires no special preparation.
- Gives you information to review with your healthcare provider.
- Delivers results online.
Who Is This Test For?
- People who want to check for paprika-specific IgE antibodies.
- People who have noticed symptoms after eating paprika, such as itching, hives, or wheezing.
- People who have had rashes, swollen lips, or stomach upset after exposure to paprika.
- People who want information to discuss with a healthcare provider about a possible paprika allergy.
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?
It measures allergen-specific IgE antibodies to paprika/sweet pepper (F218) in your blood. Because it looks at a single biomarker, it does not assess other foods, spices, or peppers. It is also an IgE test, so it is not interchangeable with tests that measure other antibody classes.
2. Who should consider this test, and when?
If you have had symptoms such as itching, hives, rashes, lip swelling, wheezing, coughing, or digestive upset after paprika exposure, you may want to discuss testing with your healthcare provider. Symptoms can appear within minutes to a few hours after exposure. Testing does not replace a medical evaluation.
3. Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
No special preparation required.
4. How quickly will I get results?
Expect results in 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday or lab delays.
5. How should I interpret my results, and what should I do if they are abnormal?
A result shows whether paprika-specific IgE antibodies were detected, but it cannot establish a clinical food allergy on its own. Interpretation depends on your result, symptoms, and clinical history. It does not predict reaction severity or determine whether paprika is safe for you to eat. If your result is abnormal, review it with a qualified healthcare provider, who can advise on any further evaluation.
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, pollens, or other substances. This test measures only paprika/sweet pepper-specific IgE and does not test for any of the items listed below. These examples are not exhaustive, and they describe possible relationships, not confirmed allergies. Depending on your history, symptoms, or your healthcare provider's guidance, testing for related allergens may be worth discussing.
- Latex: Cross-reactivity between latex and bell pepper has been reported and is described as part of the latex-fruit syndrome.
- Birch and mugwort pollen: Paprika and other peppers have been linked to the celery-birch-mugwort-spice syndrome, in which some people react to related plant proteins.
- Celery and other spices: People with celery-birch-mugwort-spice syndrome may also react to certain spices. Reactions vary from person to person.
- Tomato and potato: These belong to the same plant family as peppers. Shared proteins such as profilins have been described, but the clinical relevance varies.
- Japanese cedar pollen, peach, and orange: A case report described shared gibberellin-regulated proteins with pepper. Clinically relevant sensitization appears uncommon and limited to some individuals.
