Lemon

The Lemon test is a blood test that detects specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in response to lemon proteins (antigens). This test helps identify lemon and lemon-based food allergies.

Lemon, a citrus fruit, is commonly enjoyed in a variety of dishes, beverages, and desserts. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, which supports a healthy immune system, promotes collagen production, and helps protect against free radical damage. However, some individuals can have allergic reactions to lemons, causing stomach problems, skin rashes, or more serious reactions. The Lemon test helps diagnose a lemon allergy by checking for specific antibodies (IgE) that the body makes against proteins present in lemons. This test helps confirm if the immune system is mistakenly treating lemons as a threat and causing an allergy.

The Lemon test is recommended when individuals experience symptoms like swelling, itching, or discomfort in the mouth or throat, skin rashes, nausea, stomach pain, or diarrhea after eating lemons or lemon-based foods. It helps separate lemon allergies from other conditions like food intolerances or oral allergy syndrome (OAS), a type of food allergy that causes allergic reactions in the lips, mouth, and throat upon eating certain raw fruits and vegetables. 

A positive test result for lemon-specific IgE antibodies means there is an ongoing lemon allergy, and avoiding lemons is usually recommended to prevent reactions. If the result is negative, more tests may be needed to find other causes for the symptoms, such as food sensitivities that don’t involve IgE antibodies.

No special preparation is required for the Lemon test. However, it is important to inform the doctor about any medications (such as antihistamines) or supplements being taken, as these may affect the test results. Lab test results can vary depending on the specific test method and allergens used, so they should be interpreted alongside clinical symptoms.