What You Need To Know About Allergy Testing

Whitney Hatcher

| 2 min read

Do you sneeze randomly? Does your nose run constantly, and your eyes water often? If so, there is a chance that your immune system, could be reacting to symptoms of allergians. According to Medline Plus, "an allergy is a reaction by your immune system to something that does not bother most other people." To identify specific triggers and to determine the treatment, your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms and daily routines. Allergies can range from minor to severe and finding out what you are allergic to, is an important first step to effective allergy treatment. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, "people who have allergies often are sensitive to more than one thing." Combining a comprehensive medical report with an allergy test can identify specific elements that trigger your allergic reactions.

How does an allergy test work?

Allergy testing is performed by drawing blood or through examining the skin.
  • For a skin test, a small amount of a suspected allergen is placed on or below the skin to see if a reaction develops.
  • Allergy tests done by blood inspect for substances in the blood called antibodies.

Is it covered by your health insurance?

If you're a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan or Blue Care Network member, you can log into bcbsm.com to see what's covered by your plan. You can also use bcbsm.com to check your claims details and history, and find a doctor that's in your health plan's network. If you liked this post, you may want to check out:
For more health insurance tips visit bcbsm.com/101 or follow the hashtag #Covered101 on our social channels. If you have a specific question, please submit your query online through our Customer Action Center. Photo Credit: James Ramspott

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6 Comments

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Lloyd Bronson

Aug 7, 2019 at 2:24pm

I am glad to see that allergy testing is covered by my health insurance. I have always been curious about a few things, so I will definitely visit a doctor and inquire about potential allergies. I think I might be allergic to cat fur, but I am not sure. https://ashburnallergy.com/services/

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Eliane

Jan 11, 2019 at 4:02pm

Can I simply say what a relief to uncover somebody that actually knows what they are talking about over the internet. You actually understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people have to look at this and understand this side of your story. It's surprising you aren't more popular given that you certainly have the gift.

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Blues Perspectives

Dec 14, 2018 at 7:08pm

Thanks for reading, Duncan!

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Duncan Lance

Dec 14, 2018 at 1:30am

Not many people know what to expect when they get allergy testing done, so it is nice to have your article give a break down. It is particularly helpful that you bring up the fact that some testing needs to be done on blood. That way people can expect that and better prepare for it, especially if they are squeamish. https://www.agrifood.com.au/index.php/about

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Braden Bills

Oct 20, 2016 at 4:38pm

I've noticed that I've been sneezing a lot lately. It doesn't seem to have anything to do with dust, though. I didn't realize that it could be a sign of allergies! I'll be sure to get tested. http://www.desertsurgeons.com/sinus-allergy-treatments-palm-springs-palm-desert-ca.html

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