Clinical ➜ Lab Testing ➜ Indoor Allergy Panel
Indoor Allergy Panel
The Interior Medicine Indoor Allergy Panel tests you for allergies to 17 common and often-overlooked indoor allergens, like formaldehyde, latex, dust mites, ficus plants, and more.
Indoor Allergy Symptoms
If you have itchy eyes, asthma, sneezing, runny nose, rashes, coughing, watery eyes, trouble breathing, congestion, or other allergy symptoms, this test can help you figure out if your body is reacting to something in your home.
This is the most comprehensive indoor allergy panel available. Most tests focus on a mixture of pet dander, outdoor pollens, and mold, or contain a limited number of indoor allergens. This panel focuses on a broader range of every day materials and chemicals.
This can also be a useful test if you’re thinking about buying new furniture made with natural materials like wool and latex for the first time— checking to make sure you’re not allergic to these materials first can provide peace of mind.
Biomarkers Tested
➜ Formaldehyde IgE: furniture glues, composite wood, carpets, wallpaper, cleaning products
➜ Hexamethylene Diisocyanate (HDI) IgE: polyurethane foam, glues, and paints.
➜ Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) IgE: polyurethane foam, glues, and paints.
➜ Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI): polyurethane foam, glues, and paints.
➜ Latex IgE: natural latex mattresses, couches, and chairs
➜ Goose Feather IgE: feather and down comforters and pillows
➜ Duck Feather IgE: commonly added to goose feathers and down
➜ Sheep Epithelia IgE: tests for wool allergy to blankets, wool comforters, and natural mattresses
➜ Eucalyptus IgE: sheets, houseplants, and fresh-cut floral arrangements
➜ Cotton IgE: sheets, blankets, rugs
➜ Ficus IgE: common houseplant
➜ Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus IgE: the most common species of dust mite
➜ Dermatophagoides farinae IgE: dust mite species common in drier climates
➜ Cockroach IgE: house pest
➜ Mouse Epithelia IgE: house pest, not always seen
➜ Dog Dander IgE: pet
➜ Cat Dander: extremely persistent, can be present even without current cat
➜ Molds: optional; read more below.
Optional Mold Allergy Biomarkers
If you’d like to include mold allergy testing, you can easily add it to your shopping cart when you order the Indoor Allergen Panel. The Mold Add-On test assesses your IgE allergic response to 15 common indoor mold species, including black mold.
I keep mold allergy testing separate because many people have already ruled out mold as an issue in their home or potential cause of allergies, so they don’t need to include this. However, if you have had water damage in your home, can smell mold, have never been tested for allergies to mold, or want the most comprehensive testing possible, I recommend adding it on. Both panels can be drawn together at one time, it’s all through the same company, and requires no additional preparation.
(And yes, you can also order just the mold allergy panel.)
How to Test for Indoor Allergens
You can order the Interior Medicine Indoor Allergy Panel here. Simply add the order to your cart, and checkout. Ulta Labs offers Direct-to-Consumer testing, which means you can order it yourself, and a licensed physician in your state formally signs and places the order for you. (I am a licensed physician in the state of Oregon, but I cannot order labs in other states— this service allows anyone in the US to order and access this testing.)
How to Prepare for Your Indoor Allergy Test
This is a blood test, so you will need a blood draw. You do not need to fast.
You do not need to stop taking any medications, including allergy medications, before the test (this is a major advantage of blood testing over skin prick testing).
Ulta Labs will send you your blood draw requisition form by email, and help you find a blood draw site close to your home (or a mobile phlebotomist to come to your house for an additional fee). They will answer any questions you have about the process along the way. They handle all payment and blood draw logistics for you.
Results
Labs are processed by Quest Diagnostics, a nationwide CLIA and CAP accredited diagnostic laboratory. Results may take up to 11 days to process, but are typically ready sooner (average 3 business days). You can see the turnaround time listed on each allergen. Results will be shared with you as soon as they are ready, through the Ulta patient portal. You will receive access to this portal in your email. If you have questions about when your results will be ready, please contact Ulta directly.
You may review your results on your own, with your current doctor, or by scheduling a lab review with me, here.
Clinical ➜ Lab Testing ➜ Indoor Allergy Panel