Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood serum
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 3–5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Accurate allergy confirmation – Detects acacia-specific IgE antibodies using precise FEIA technology
- Pain-free alternative — avoids skin irritation from traditional prick tests
- Fast results — get answers within 3–5 business days
- Convenient ordering — no doctor referral or appointment required
- High accuracy — ImmunoCAP® method offers over 90% sensitivity (Mayo Clinic 2024)
- Confidential delivery — secure, private results delivered to your online account
- Proactive health — identify triggers early to improve quality of life
- Occupational health insight – Essential for workers exposed to acacia in manufacturing or tanning
Who Is This Test For?
- People experiencing unexplained rash, hives, or respiratory issues after outdoor exposure
- Individuals with suspected acacia pollen allergy during summer flowering season
- Workers in leather tanning, printing, or supplement industries with occupational exposure
- Those unable to tolerate skin prick tests due to skin conditions
- Anyone using acacia gum dietary supplements and experiencing adverse reactions
- Patients seeking to confirm allergy before starting avoidance or immunotherapy plans
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online — select your test without a physician referral and choose a convenient lab location
- Visit the lab — a trained phlebotomist collects a small blood sample during a quick appointment
- Access your results — review secure, confidential results online within 3-5 business days
FAQ
What does this test measure? It quantifies acacia-specific IgE antibodies in your blood to confirm allergic sensitization (Mayo Clinic 2024).
Is fasting required before the test? No, you can eat and drink normally before your blood draw.
Can I take antihistamines before testing? Yes, continue regular medications unless your physician advises otherwise—blood tests aren't affected like skin tests.
How accurate is this compared to skin testing? ImmunoCAP-based IgE blood tests show 85–95% diagnostic accuracy, comparable to skin prick tests.
What if my results are positive? Consult an allergist to discuss avoidance strategies, symptom management, or immunotherapy options.
How long does the test take at the lab? The blood draw itself takes just 5–10 minutes—most of your time is the wait.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This blood test detects and measures IgE antibodies your immune system produces in response to acacia tree pollen or acacia-derived products. When you're allergic, your body mistakenly identifies acacia proteins as harmful invaders and creates specific IgE antibodies against them. These antibodies trigger histamine release, causing allergic symptoms like sneezing, wheezing, rashes, or digestive distress (AAAAI 2024).
Acacia trees—often called mimosa—produce enormous quantities of pollen during summer flowering that stays concentrated near the trees. The test also identifies reactions to acacia gum used in dietary fiber supplements and acacia oil used in leather tanning and printing industries.
Who would benefit from this test?
You may benefit from this test if you experience symptoms after outdoor exposure during the summer months when acacia trees bloom with yellow or pink flowers. It's particularly valuable for people who develop rash, hives, red eyes, runny nose, stomach pain, or difficulty breathing near acacia trees or after consuming products containing acacia gum.
Workers in occupational settings with acacia exposure—including leather tanning, printing, or supplement manufacturing—should consider testing if they develop respiratory or skin symptoms at work (Johns Hopkins Medicine 2023). The test is also ideal for individuals who cannot undergo skin prick testing due to eczema, dermatitis, or other skin conditions that interfere with accurate results.
When should I order an Acacia (Mimosa) Allergy IgE Blood Test?
Order this test when you notice allergic symptoms—such as sneezing, wheezing, itching, hives, nausea, or diarrhea—after known or suspected exposure to acacia pollen or acacia-containing products. Timing matters if you work in industries using acacia materials and develop work-related symptoms that improve on days off.
You should also consider testing before starting allergy immunotherapy to confirm acacia as a specific trigger, or if you're monitoring known allergy severity over time to assess treatment effectiveness.
How do I interpret the results?
Your results report IgE antibody concentration measured in kU/L (kilounits per liter). Higher levels indicate stronger allergic sensitization to acacia.
- < 0.35 kU/L – No sensitization detected; acacia allergy unlikely, consider other causes
- 0.35–0.70 kU/L – Low-level sensitization; mild allergy possible, monitor symptoms
- 0.71–3.50 kU/L – Moderate sensitization; allergy likely, discuss avoidance with doctor
- 3.51–17.50 kU/L – High sensitization; strong allergy, begin avoidance and treatment plan
- > 17.50 kU/L – Very high sensitization; severe allergy, seek immediate specialist consultation
Early allergy detection through IgE testing can reduce emergency visits for asthma and severe allergic reactions, significantly lowering healthcare costs (CDC 2023).
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting is required before your blood draw—eat and drink normally. Continue taking all regular medications including antihistamines, as they don't interfere with blood-based IgE testing the way they affect skin prick tests. Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that roll up easily for blood collection.
If you have a history of fainting during blood draws, inform the phlebotomist beforehand and consider eating a light snack before your appointment.
How often should I get tested?
- Initial diagnosis – One-time test to confirm allergy
- Monitoring treatment progress – Annually or as directed by allergist
- Before starting immunotherapy – Once for baseline measurement
- During immunotherapy – Every 1–2 years to assess response
- Occupational exposure screening – Annually if symptoms develop
- Symptom changes – As needed when severity increases
Most people only need testing once to confirm an allergy, then rely on symptom monitoring and periodic allergist visits rather than repeated blood tests.
Why early detection matters
Identifying acacia allergy early allows you to implement avoidance strategies before symptoms escalate to severe reactions. Unmanaged pollen allergies can progress to chronic sinusitis, asthma development, or anaphylaxis in rare cases. Early detection helps prevent these complications.
For workers with occupational exposure, early diagnosis enables protective measures like improved ventilation, personal protective equipment, or job modifications before respiratory damage occurs. Studies show that proactive allergy management reduces emergency department visits and improves quality of life while lowering long-term healthcare expenses (CDC 2023).
Understanding your specific triggers empowers you to take control during peak pollen seasons—typically summer when acacia flowers bloom—by using air filters, planning outdoor activities strategically, and starting preventive medications before symptoms begin.
Related tests you may consider
Bayberry Allergy IgE Blood Test – Detects IgE sensitization to bayberry, which can occur alongside or overlap with Acacia (Mimosa) pollen allergy.
Total IgE Test – Measures overall allergic tendency alongside specific IgE results
Respiratory Allergy Panel Region 1 – Identifies common pollen and inhalant allergies causing breathing symptoms commonly found in the Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont region.
