Cheddar Cheese Allergy Blood Test

Sample Report Test Code: 602732 Specimen Type: Blood

Description:

Cheddar Cheese Allergy Blood Test (Labcorp)

The Cheddar Cheese Allergy blood test is used to see if a person will have an allergic reaction to cheddar cheese.  Cheddar falls into the category of bacteria-ripened hard cheeses.  It is one of the most popular varieties of cheeses and is used in a variety of products.  Cheese allergies are usually due to the proteins in the milk used to make it.  People who are allergic to one type of cheese are likely to be allergic to other types as well.

Allergy symptoms can develop anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours after ingestion.  Common allergy symptoms include rash, hives, itching, cough, wheezing, tightening of the throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and lightheadedness.  People with a severe allergy may experience anaphylaxis which can be fatal.   

Food allergies are caused by a reaction in the body's immune system.  The body identifies certain substances as harmful and produces IgE antibodies against them.  These antibodies trigger the release of histamine which causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction.  The severity of the allergy will vary from one person to the next.  Blood allergy testing provides numerical results for IgE antibody levels to help determine how severe a reaction a person will have.  Positive allergy test results should be discussed with a person's doctor to determine the appropriate follow-up.

Cheddar allergy testing is typically ordered when a person experiences allergy symptoms within 48 hours of consuming products containing cheddar cheese.  Cheddar is also included in our Dairy Allergy Panel.  For more options, please see our allergy testing menu.

Turnaround for this test is typically 3-5 business days.