Carmine Allergy Blood Test (Labcorp)

The test looks measures a person's allergic reaction to carmine.  Carmine, also known as cochineal extract, is a red pigment that is extracted from the bodies of several insect species.  Carmine dye is used in a variety of products including textiles, paints, and cosmetics.  It is also used as coloration in food products such as yogurt, candy, juices, gelatin, baked goods, and meat.  Because it is derived from insects, carmine is sometimes classified as a natural ingredient and may not be listed with other ingredients.

Allergic reactions to carmine can come from ingesting products that contain carmine or from contact with products colored with carmine dye.  Common symptoms of an allergy to cochineal extract include itching, hives, rash, wheezing, difficulty breathing, swelling around the face or throat, dizziness, or increased heart rate.  In rare cases, severe reactions including anaphylaxis are possible.

Allergies are caused by a reaction in the body's immune system.  The body identifies certain substances as harmful and produces IgE antibodies against them.  These antibodies trigger the release of histamine which causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction.  The severity of the allergy will vary from one person to the next.  Blood allergy testing provides numerical results for IgE antibody levels to help determine how severe a reaction a person will have.  Positive allergy test results should be discussed with a person's doctor to determine the appropriate follow-up.

This test is typically ordered when someone experiences allergy symptoms shortly after exposure to products containing carmine dye or cochineal extract.  For more options, please see our allergy testing category.

Turnaround for this test is typically 2-5 business days.