Thinking about a home allergy test? Allergy tests help find what you are, and are not, allergic to, but they work best combined with your medical history and an exam (AAAAI). This guide compares skin, blood and home allergy test kits, explains why IgG “food sensitivity” panels aren’t recommended, and shows where to get allergy testing near me.
It draws on the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). It is general information, not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- Skin prick testing is the most common allergy test, with results in about 15 minutes (ACAAI).
- Home kits that measure IgE use the right antibody, but a positive result alone isn’t a diagnosis (NIAID).
- Home IgG “food sensitivity” panels aren’t a valid way to diagnose allergies or sensitivities (AAAAI).
- An oral food challenge is the most accurate food allergy test (ACAAI).
- Stop antihistamines before skin testing only when your allergist tells you to, often 3 to 7 days ahead (ACAAI).
Types of allergy tests
| Test | Where it is done | What it shows | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood IgE test | Ordered by a doctor, at a lab | Allergy antibodies (IgE) to specific allergens | Used when skin testing isn’t practical; medicines don’t affect it, but it costs more and takes longer |
| Home IgE kit | Finger-prick sample mailed to a lab | The same antibody type allergists test for | A positive result alone isn’t a diagnosis; review it with a doctor |
| Home IgG “food sensitivity” kit | Finger-prick sample mailed to a lab | IgG to dozens of foods | Not a valid way to diagnose allergies or sensitivities |
| Oral food challenge | Allergist’s office, under supervision | Whether you react to eating a food | The most accurate food allergy test |
| Skin prick test | Allergist’s office | A small raised bump within about 15 minutes | The most common allergy test |
Skin prick (scratch) test
A tiny drop of a possible allergen is pricked or scratched into the skin, and you wait about 15 minutes to see whether a small red bump appears (ACAAI). Skin testing is the easiest, most sensitive and generally least expensive way to identify allergens (ACAAI).
Intradermal test
If prick tests are negative, an allergist may inject a small amount of allergen just under the skin. It is often used for insect stings and penicillin (ACAAI).
Blood (IgE) test
Blood tests measure allergy antibodies (IgE) and are used when skin testing isn’t practical. Medicines don’t interfere with the results, but results take longer, cost more and can give false positives (ACAAI).
Oral food challenge
For suspected food allergies, you eat small, increasing amounts of a food under strict medical supervision. It is considered the most accurate way to diagnose a food allergy and should only be done by experienced allergists (ACAAI).
Home allergy tests: are they worth it?
Most home allergy test kits use a finger-prick blood sample that you mail to a lab. Before you buy one, check which antibody it measures (AAAAI):
- IgE kits measure the same antibody allergists test for. But even a real IgE result can’t diagnose an allergy on its own, because a positive test alone doesn’t make a diagnosis (NIAID).
- IgG kits, often sold as “food sensitivity” tests, report IgG to 90 to 100 foods. The AAAAI says this test has never been scientifically proven to do what it claims, and IgG is likely a normal response to eating a food (AAAAI).
If you use a home kit, review the results with a doctor before changing your diet or medicines. Cutting out foods based on IgG results can restrict your diet for no reason (AAAAI). Broad food panels should not be used; testing should target foods you have reacted to (NIAID).
IgG food sensitivity tests
The AAAAI and the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology recommend against IgG testing to diagnose food allergies or intolerances. Higher IgG4 levels may simply be linked to tolerance (AAAAI). Food intolerances such as lactose intolerance are real, but they are different from allergies, and no single test identifies them (AAAAI).
Food allergy testing: what a positive result means
Food allergy testing confirms a diagnosis when you have a history of reactions to a food (NIAID). A negative test is useful for ruling an allergy out (ACAAI). Shellfish is one of the most common food allergens in adults, and an allergist can test for the specific species involved (ACAAI).
Where to get allergy testing near me
Allergists are the experts in testing, diagnosing and treating allergies (ACAAI). An allergist is a pediatrician or internist with at least two extra years of specialized training (AAAAI). Adults and children of any age can be tested, often at the first visit (ACAAI). Your primary care doctor can refer you or order some blood tests.
In Florida, see our guides to allergy testing in Florida and food allergy testing in Florida. To see what is in the air near you before your visit, check pollen near me by city.
How to prepare for skin testing
- Antihistamines usually need to be stopped 3 to 7 days before skin testing. Ask your allergist when to stop (ACAAI).
- Nasal steroid sprays and asthma medicines are generally fine to continue (ACAAI).
- Tell your allergist about every medicine you take, including over-the-counter products (ACAAI).
If testing points to pollen, see pollen allergies, treatment options and immunotherapy.
Frequently asked questions
Are home allergy tests accurate?
It depends on what they measure. IgG panels aren’t a valid way to diagnose allergies or sensitivities (AAAAI), and even IgE results need a doctor to interpret them with your history (NIAID).
Can I test for allergies at home?
You can collect a finger-prick sample at home for a lab IgE test, but a home test can’t diagnose an allergy by itself. Allergists combine testing with your history and an exam (AAAAI).
What is the most accurate food allergy test?
An oral food challenge done under medical supervision (ACAAI).
Do skin prick tests hurt?
They may hurt slightly, and a positive spot can itch. Results appear in about 15 minutes (ACAAI).
Should I stop antihistamines before an allergy test?
Usually for 3 to 7 days before skin testing. Ask your allergist first (ACAAI).
Related reading
Related Testing Guides
Local pollen and allergist guides
Pollen seasons and triggers change by city. See what is in the air near me and where to find an allergist.
City pollen guides
Sources
Written by the SeasonalAllergies.org Editorial Team (October 2026). Updated November 2026.
This page is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor before changing your diet or medicines based on a test result.