Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw (serum)
- Fasting: No fasting required
- Turn-around: 3-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- No doctor visit required — order online and visit any local lab for sample collection
- Fast, confidential results — results delivered within days to secure online account
- Pinpoint your allergy trigger — detect strawberry-specific IgE antibodies to confirm sensitization
- Avoid severe reactions — early identification helps you eliminate allergen exposure proactively
- Comprehensive allergy insight — results guide dietary changes and immunotherapy planning
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals experiencing itching, hives, or throat tightness after eating strawberries
- People with unexplained allergic symptoms suspecting fruit involvement
- Those with a family history of food allergies seeking proactive screening
- Anyone preparing for allergy immunotherapy or comprehensive dietary planning
- Health-conscious consumers wanting to identify hidden allergen sensitivities
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online - Schedule your test at any certified lab location
- Get tested - Quick blood draw takes just minutes, no preparation needed
- Review results - Receive confidential results within 3-5 days
FAQ
What does this test measure? It quantifies IgE antibodies specific to strawberry allergens in your blood, indicating sensitization or allergy risk (Mayo Clinic Laboratories).
Do I need to fast before the test? No fasting or medication changes are required before your blood draw (Mayo Clinic Laboratories).
How accurate is IgE testing for strawberry allergies? IgE blood tests demonstrate diagnostic accuracy exceeding 80% for food allergens, including strawberries (PMC).
Can I have a positive test without symptoms? Yes; a positive IgE result indicates sensitization, but clinical symptoms determine true allergy severity (Mayo Clinic Laboratories).
What should I do if my results are reactive? Consult an allergist to interpret findings and create a management plan, including avoidance strategies and possible immunotherapy.
Are there hidden sources of strawberry allergens? Yes; strawberry components appear in herbal teas, cosmetics, air fresheners, shampoos, and skincare products—always read labels carefully.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This test detects and quantifies immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies specific to strawberry proteins in your blood. When you're allergic to strawberries, your immune system mistakenly identifies strawberry proteins as harmful invaders and produces IgE antibodies in response. These antibodies trigger histamine release, causing allergic symptoms ranging from mild itching to severe anaphylaxis (Mayo Clinic Laboratories).
The test uses advanced immunoassays—typically Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay (FEIA) or ImmunoCAP® technology—to measure IgE concentration in your serum. Results confirm or rule out strawberry allergy, helping you make informed decisions about diet and allergen avoidance (Mayo Clinic Laboratories).
Who would benefit from this test?
This test is valuable for anyone suspecting strawberry allergy or experiencing unexplained allergic reactions. You may benefit if you've noticed itching, hives, throat tightness, wheezing, stomach discomfort, or respiratory symptoms after eating strawberries or strawberry-containing products (Walk-In Lab).
Individuals with a history of other food allergies or atopic conditions—such as eczema, asthma, or hay fever—are at higher risk for fruit allergies. Additionally, if you're allergic to other members of the Rosaceae fruit family (cherries, apples, pears, peaches, raspberries, blackberries), you may also react to strawberries and should consider testing (Walk-In Lab).
When should I order a Strawberry Allergy IgE Blood Test?
Order this test when symptoms suggest strawberry allergy or as part of broader allergy screening. Common triggers for testing include experiencing allergic reactions after strawberry consumption, preparing for dietary changes, or planning allergy immunotherapy (GI Test Catalog).
Testing is particularly useful if you've had unexplained allergic episodes and suspect fruit involvement. Early detection allows you to avoid strawberry exposure and prevent uncomfortable or life-threatening reactions. Food allergies affect approximately 3–4% of adults and 5% of children in the U.S., with strawberries among common allergenic fruits (PMC).
How do I interpret the results?
Your results will include IgE antibody concentration with reference ranges and a reactive or non-reactive flag. Elevated IgE levels indicate sensitization to strawberry allergens, while normal levels suggest no significant allergic response.
Non-reactive (normal)
- Meaning: No significant IgE antibodies detected
- Action: Strawberry allergy unlikely; monitor symptoms
Low reactive
- Meaning: Mild sensitization present
- Action: Consult allergist; consider avoidance or monitoring
Moderate reactive
- Meaning: Significant sensitization
- Action: Avoid strawberries; discuss management with allergist
High reactive
- Meaning: Strong sensitization
- Action: Strict avoidance required; carry emergency medication if prescribed
Remember that a positive IgE test indicates sensitization but doesn't always predict symptom severity. Clinical correlation with your allergy history is essential. Always consult an allergist or physician to interpret results and create a personalized management plan.
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 fasting or special preparation is required for this test. You don't need to discontinue medications before your blood draw. However, if you're currently receiving allergy immunotherapy, inform the laboratory, as this may affect result interpretation (Mayo Clinic Laboratories).
The blood sample collection is quick and straightforward. A healthcare professional will draw a small blood sample from your arm, which is then processed to obtain serum. The laboratory requires only 0.3–0.5 mL of serum for allergen-specific IgE testing (Mayo Clinic Laboratories).
How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your clinical situation and allergy management goals. Here are general guidelines:
- Initial diagnosis: Once to establish baseline sensitization
- Monitoring known allergy: Every 1–2 years or as symptoms change
- During immunotherapy: As directed by allergist (typically annually)
- After significant reaction: Retest if clinical picture changes
- Pediatric allergies: Every 1–2 years to assess potential outgrowth
Your allergist may recommend different intervals based on your specific clinical history and treatment plan. Repeat testing helps track sensitization changes over time and guides ongoing allergy management decisions (Mayo Clinic Laboratories).
Why early detection matters
Early identification of strawberry allergy significantly improves quality of life and reduces healthcare costs. Knowing your allergy status allows you to avoid allergen exposure before experiencing severe reactions, potentially preventing emergency visits from anaphylaxis—a life-threatening allergic response requiring immediate medical attention (PMC).
Strawberry allergens hide in unexpected places beyond fresh fruit—including herbal teas, cosmetics, medicines, skincare products, air fresheners, shampoos, conditioners, and laundry detergents. Without proper diagnosis, you might unknowingly expose yourself to allergens in everyday products. Early detection empowers you to read labels carefully and make informed choices (Walk-In Lab).
Additionally, reactive IgE results correlate strongly with clinical allergy risk, guiding appropriate dietary restrictions and prevention strategies. Understanding your strawberry allergy also helps identify potential cross-reactivity with other Rosaceae family fruits, enabling comprehensive allergen management (PMC).
Related tests you may consider
Berry Allergy Panel — tests multiple berry allergens (raspberry, blueberry, strawberry) for broader fruit allergy assessment.
Total IgE Test — measures overall IgE levels to evaluate atopic status or multiple allergies.
IgE Food Allergy Basic Test, Serum - Mosaic Diagnostics Test Kit — screens common food allergens (milk, egg, nuts, shellfish) for comprehensive allergy identification.
