Strawberry Sensitivity Test in Connecticut

What this test measures

Strawberry is a fruit in the rose family, and some of its proteins resemble pollen allergens. That similarity can cause oral allergy syndrome, where raw fruit causes tingling or itching in the mouth because the immune system mistakes fruit proteins for pollen. A blood test helps sort out whether symptoms reflect a genuine strawberry allergy or this cross-reactive pattern.

The test measures allergen-specific IgE in serum using a laboratory immunoassay. IgE is the antibody class involved in immediate allergic reactions. The report gives a quantitative level and typically a reactivity class for strawberry. An elevated value indicates that the immune system has made antibodies against strawberry proteins, but the level alone does not predict how severe a reaction would be.

People with a suspected food allergy, persistent oral symptoms after eating fruit, or reactions of unclear cause may be offered this test. It is often ordered with other fruit and pollen tests to reveal cross-reactivity patterns. Results are meant to support, not replace, a clinician's assessment, and anyone with a history of severe reactions should seek medical guidance before testing.