Test My Allergy is our pick for best at-home allergy test
With so many at-home allergy tests on the market, it's important to do your research before choosing one. The majority of at-home allergy tests use a simple finger prick method to draw a blood sample for you to mail to a lab for testing. The lab will then expose your blood sample to the various allergens you want to test for and look for IgE antibody reactivity. A reaction implies that you may have an allergy to the specific allergen. Canine Parvovirus Antibody Test Kit
Note that food sensitivity tests are different from allergy tests. These tests are designed to help you recognize which substances you are intolerant to, but may not have a clinical allergy to. Intolerance or sensitivity mostly occurs in relation to foods or food additives. Food intolerance may cause bothersome symptoms, such as stomach pain or diarrhea, while a true allergy may cause life-threatening symptoms including difficulty breathing, swelling of the mouth or tongue, and/or rashes.
To help you navigate the multitude of at-home allergy test kits available today, our team researched and tested dozens of at-home allergy kits to present you with the best ones on the market. We considered factors like customer reviews, the ease of performing the test at home, affordability, and company support, provided accuracy, cost, and ease of use. Our top selections are listed below to help you find the best kit to meet your needs and budget.
These kits are not a suitable substitute for visiting an allergist, who is a qualified physician who specializes in detecting and treating allergies. In addition to blood testing typically conducted with at-home allergy tests, an allergist uses multiple forms of analysis, your medical history, and symptoms after exposure to potential allergens to ensure a correct diagnosis. Confirming a severe allergy requires an allergist to expose you to possible triggers. This can cause life-threatening reactions and should only be done with medical supervision.
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Test My Allergy tests for 78 allergens including cheeses, wheat, and eggs, and the results are processed quickly in a downloadable report.
Checks for 78 allergens and intolerances
Allergy tests for pets available
Test results received via email
The Combined Allergy & Intolerance test from Test My Allergy is a standout because it checks for 78 food and environmental substances you might be allergic or intolerant to. By looking for both immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies using a method called enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the test analyzes your blood to determine what could be bothering you.
In addition to its testing capabilities, Test My Allergy's service is one of the most affordable options on the market at around $169. After ordering from the website you will receive the test kit in the mail with instructions on how to administer the test, and a return mailing kit.
Taking the test is simple: Wash your finger with the included alcohol wipe and then use one of two included lancets to prick your finger. Apply a drop of blood to the blood spot card and return it in the provided envelope to the company’s laboratory located in the United Kingdom. Full instructions are included in the kit.
You will receive your results via email as a PDF file with a comprehensive explanation.
Everlywell has a user-friendly interface, an affordable price tag, and comes with professional guidance via a group webinar run by a healthcare professional.
Checks for 96 food intolerances and sensitivities
Results come with physician advice
Doesn’t screen for actual food allergies
Expensive for only checking food sensitivities
Long time to wait for results
The Everlywell Food Sensitivity Test looks for intolerances to 96 different foods at an affordable price (about $199). This test does not screen for actual food allergies, which can cause dangerous symptoms such as swelling of the face and lips or difficulty breathing, but is intended to help guide you in an elimination diet. It identifies potential food sensitivities that may be causing symptoms such as gas, bloating, or diarrhea.
Prick your finger with the lancet provided, drop your blood onto the sample card, and return the card in the mail. The company claims that your results will be reviewed by a physician who will be available to steer you through an elimination diet.
At-home kits used to identify food sensitivities typically look for IgG antibodies. There is some debate about how useful the testing is for these types of antibodies, but smaller studies suggest it can help identify food intolerances and aid in elimination diets for people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and migraines.
HealthLabs.com accurately tests for a wide range of seasonal allergies along with many other types of allergies.
Examines a wide range of sensitivities
Involves going to a testing lab
HealthLabs.com uses IgE analysis for its seasonal allergy testing. If you know when your symptoms usually appear, this may help you narrow down potential culprits and give you greater success in identifying your sensitivities.
While this test is on the pricier side—ranging from approximately $159 to $299 depending on the exact testing panel you choose—it examines a wide range of sensitivities accurately. The most expensive option is for perennial (year-round) allergies such as mold and pet dander, while the lower-priced tests are catered toward individuals who only experience seasonal symptoms.
The in-person blood test takes about 10 minutes once you arrive at the lab. Test results are provided within one to three days via a secure online account accessed through the company website. It’s also worth noting that actual blood draws (as opposed to blood spot tests) that look for IgE antibodies, such as those run by HealthLabs.com, may be more accurate.
Accesa Labs offers an inexpensive test that gives you results for common pet allergies in about four days.
Low rate of false-positive results
Lack of interpretation of results
Involves going to a testing lab
Accesa Labs' Cat and Dog Allergy Panel test wins big for its potential to provide accurate results at an affordable price despite its requirement to visit a lab. For around $79, you can skip the doctor’s visit and have your blood drawn at a Quest Diagnostics lab, where the sample is tested for immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in response to cat and dog dander.
After you have purchased the test online, an order is sent to the lab. You can then visit the lab to have your blood drawn, and they will submit your blood for testing. Potential drawbacks include a lack of professional help or plain-language guides to interpret the results and the narrow scope of the test. If you’re allergic to something other than a dog or cat, this screening won't help you much.
The analysis is performed using ImmunoCAP technology, a method of testing that shows a very low rate of false-positive results. Test results arrive via email or mobile device in a PDF, and customer service is available to assist you with any questions.
Allergy Test's Allergy and Intolerance Test Plus stands out for covering a total of 117 food and environmental allergens and intolerances.
Wide variety of allergens/intolerances tested (117)
Easy testing and results come quickly via email
Includes guide to perform elimination of reacting substances
Requires and at-home finger prick blood test
If you don’t have a specific, suspected allergy in mind and are just wondering about some bothersome symptoms, the Allergy and Intolerance Test Plus offered by Allergy Test might be just what you're looking for.
This product wins for the high number and variety of allergen reactions it checks for by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technology to analyze both IgG and IgE antibodies. The test covers 117 substances: 38 potential food and environment allergies and 79 food intolerances. And with a price of around $185, the cost of this kit is a solid deal for the number of allergens tested for.
You should receive the test within about 10 days of ordering it on the company's website. Like most other at-home allergy kits, this test comes with a lancet to prick your finger and a blood sample card that you'll need to mail in for analysis.
Results will be delivered via email in a PDF with an explanation of the items tested and intolerance levels, as well as any allergies that were identified.
Walk-In Lab is an easily ordered and performed test for five common stinging insects.
LabCorp test covers six sting allergies
Becomes expensive depending on the test you choose
Walk-In Lab's Allergy Stinging Insect Profile Blood Test is available at either LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics. The test looks for reactions to common stinging insects: the honeybee, paper wasp, white-faced hornet, yellow jacket, and yellow hornet. (Bumblebee testing is included at LabCorp.) Like some of the other products featured on this list, you will need to visit a LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics location for the blood draw.
The test is easily ordered online for around $128 if you plan to use a Quest Diagnostics lab, or $118 if you use LabCorp. (Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp both use highly-reliable ImmunoCAP technology for analysis). You print out a lab order and bring it to a location of your choice. The lab will draw your blood and submit it for testing.
Expect to receive the test results electronically in five to seven days. Even with this test, however, it still might be beneficial to speak with your doctor for a more comprehensive analysis to help you understand the results.
Insect sting allergies can lead to a serious life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. While you may not experience life-threatening symptoms after the first time you are stung, these symptoms can become more severe the next time you are exposed to insect venom. It's recommended that you visit a qualified doctor (allergist) for further guidance if you receive a positive result for the Walk-in Lab test.
Simply Sensitivity Checks Ultimate Test checks over 900 potential allergens in food and drink, by far the most on this list. Best of all, if the sight of blood makes you woozy, this only requires a few strands of hair.
Painless compared to finger prick and lab blood tests
Test checks for allergies to over 900 items
Must clip a few strands of hair to complete the test
Hair tests are not considered very accurate
If the sight of blood makes you weak in the knees, this is the test for you. Simply Sensitivity Checks uses only a few strands of hair you clip yourself to test for reactions to over 900 listed items. The Ultimate Health test looks at common food intolerances and sensitivities such as dairy, gluten, fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, nuts, metals, minerals, vitamins, additives, and more.
It is important to note that hair strand tests are not without their flaws. Allergist and immunologist Lily Pien, MD, MHPE, warns that “because there is no IgE in hair, results are not going to reflect a true food allergy." Dr. Pien goes on to explain that "this type of testing does not reveal a true food allergy. It may cause significant harm by forcing people to avoid foods, making them believe they are allergic to several foods when they aren’t."
If you choose to take an at-home allergy test using strands of your hair, consult your physician before making drastic changes to your diet.
Test My Allergy received the "Best Overall" rating because of its pricing, testing capabilities, and comprehensive data. It offers the most comprehensive selection of allergy testing for the most reasonable price, all with a simple testing procedure and a quick turnaround on results. Allergy Test's offering, on the other hand, is one of our top picks because it screens for a response to 117 different substances. Most at-home allergy tests require an at-home finger prick or in-person lab blood draw. This can be painful or time-consuming. If you lack the time or means to visit lab or have no desire to prick your finger, the Simply Sensitivity Checks hair test is your best option.
At-home allergy tests can be a useful way of narrowing down various allergies, sensitivities, or intolerances you may have. While they’re certainly not always the most accurate way of assessing potential allergies, they can give you some insight into what substances your body may be struggling with, and put you on a path to better management and treatment.
Pros of at-home allergy tests:
Cons of at-home allergy tests:
Since there are so many at-home allergy tests available, choosing one can be difficult. The first thing to look for when choosing a test is: Does it test for what I think I may be allergic or intolerant to? If you suffer from seasonal allergies, choose a test for ragweed, tree pollen, and sagebrush. If allergies to pets are your concern, look for a test that checks for common pet allergens.
Other factors you should consider before purchasing a test include:
At-home allergy tests are considered unreliable by medical professionals. After using at-home allergy tests, we recommend you consult a medical professional for interpretation, confirmation of results, and advice regarding the best allergy treatments. Without proper guidance, you may take unnecessary steps to mitigate a suspected allergy, such as getting rid of a pet or changing your diet.
If you experience a severe allergic reaction or anaphylaxis, consult an allergist for further evaluation, rather than take an at-home allergy test. If you test negative but are experiencing symptoms of an intolerance or allergy, you should consult your healthcare provider.
Choose a test that specifically checks for the allergens you're most concerned about. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, choose a test for ragweed, tree pollen, and sagebrush. If allergies to cats and dogs are your concern, look for a test that checks for common pet allergens.
At-home tests vary in their sample collection methods. Some kits have you prick a finger at home in order to collect a few drops of blood that are sent to a lab via mail for testing. Other tests have you go directly to a lab to have your blood drawn. There are also tests that require a few strands of your hair that you clip and mail to a lab.
Since at-home allergy tests are considered unreliable by medical professionals, they are not typically covered by health insurance.
The time it takes to receive the results of your test depends on how your blood or hair sample is collected and the method by which your results are provided. Generally, results that are available digitally via email or secured portal within the testing company's website are returned in the most timely manner—usually within three to seven days after collection.
At-home allergy testing kits vary greatly in how samples are taken and which antibodies are being tested. We consulted research on these antibodies to provide you with information about which ones may be the most accurate. We also took into consideration customer reviews, the ease of performing the test at home, affordability, and company support provided (follow-up or instructions about what to do with results).
Additional reporting to this story by Nicole Bonaccorso.
VERYWELL Health /Design by Amelia Manley
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Karakula-Juchnowicz H, Gałęcka M, Rog J, et al. The food-specific serum IgG reactivity in major depressive disorder patients, irritable bowel syndrome patients and healthy controls. Nutrients. 2018;10(5):548. doi:10.3390/nu10050548
van Hage M, Schmid-Grendelmeier P, Skevaki C, et al. Performance evaluation of ImmunoCAP® ISAC 112: a multi-site study. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2017;55(4):571-577. doi:10.1515/cclm-2016-0586
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Insect sting allergies.
Cleveland Clinic. Reasons home allergy tests probably won’t help you.
By Kristin Hayes, RN Kristin Hayes, RN, is a registered nurse specializing in ear, nose, and throat disorders for both adults and children.
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