Johnson Grass Allergy Blood Test

Sample Report Test Code: 602503 Specimen Type: Blood

Description:

Johnson Grass Allergy Blood Test (Labcorp)

The Johnson Grass Allergy Blood Test can help determine if a person is allergic to pollen from Johnson Grass.  Johnson Grass is also known as Aleppo grass, Arabian millet, Egyptian millet, evergreen millet, false guinea, Morocco millet, and Syrian grass.  It is found in many areas around the world and typically produces pollen year-round with a higher concentration in the 1-2 months after the main flowering season.

Symptoms of Johnson Grass Allergy

Allergic reactions to Johnson Grass pollen can cause a variety of symptoms.  The most common of these are runny or stuffy nose, watery itchy eyes, sneezing, shortness of breath, cough, itching in the throat or mouth, hives, postnasal drip, wheezing, and tightness or pain in the chest.  People with asthma may find their symptoms worsened due to an allergic reaction.  Severe allergic reactions may cause anaphylaxis which could be life threatening.  Severe allergy symptoms can include a drop in blood pressure, dizziness, lightheadedness, tightening of the airways, swelling in the throat, rapid pulse, and loss of consciousness.  Seek immediate medical attention if you are having signs of an anaphylactic allergic reaction.

Johnson Grass Allergy Cross Reaction

Most people with an allergy to Johnson Grass will also be allergic to pollen from other types of trees, weeds, or grasses.  Some people may also suffer allergies to certain fruits and vegetables including melon, watermelon, citrus, banana, pineapple, persimmon, zucchini, tomato, hazelnut, and peanuts.  This can make determining which specific allergens are causing a reaction difficult.  Allergy testing for other common allergens in your area may be recommended.

What is blood allergy testing?

Allergies are caused by the immune system reacting to certain triggers that would otherwise be harmless to the body.  Environmental allergies are quite common and usually caused by a reaction to certain types of pollen, grass, or trees.  The immune system mistakenly sees these allergens as a threat and produces IgE antibodies in response.  The production of IgE antibodies triggers the release of an inflammatory agent histamine.  Histamine is what causes the symptoms typically associated with an allergic reaction.  Allergy testing measures the amount of IgE antibodies to specific allergens in the blood.  A person’s IgE antibody level can help to determine if they are allergic to a particular substance and how severe their allergy is.  High IgE test results and clinical symptoms of an allergic reaction should be discussed with your doctor to determine the appropriate course of action.  If your test results do not show elevated IgE antibody levels, but you continue to experience allergy symptoms, consult your doctor.

This test is normally ordered when someone experiences allergy symptoms after being in proximity to Johnson Grass.  Note that symptoms and their intensity may vary from person to person.  

The Johnson Grass IgE Allergy Test has a typical turnaround of 2-5 business days for test results.

Request A Test offers a variety of blood allergen tests.  Please see our Allergy Test Category for more options.

Where can I find a Johnson Grass Allergy test near me?

Check our lab finder to locate a collection site in your area.