Orange

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

Oranges are a popular citrus fruit known for their sweet and tangy taste, high vitamin C content, and other nutritional benefits like fiber and antioxidants. However, some individuals can have allergic reactions to oranges, causing stomach problems, skin rashes, or more serious reactions. The Orange test helps diagnose an orange allergy by checking for specific antibodies (IgE) that the body makes against proteins present in oranges. This test helps confirm if the immune system is mistakenly treating oranges as a threat and causing an allergy.

The Orange 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 oranges or orange-based foods. It helps separate orange 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 orange-specific IgE antibodies means there is an ongoing orange allergy, and avoiding oranges 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 Orange 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.