A patient seated in the chair before a blood draw
In person

Cotton Fiber Allergy (IgE)

IgE antibodies to cotton fiber, measured from one blood draw.

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  • 2,000+ lab locations. Find one near you
  • Nothing due at the lab. FSA / HSA accepted
  • Ordered by a licensed clinician

At a glance

Collection
Blood draw
A standard blood draw at the lab.
Preparation
None
Nothing to do ahead of time. Water is fine.
Results
3 to 5 days
Typical turnaround after your visit.
Where
2,000+ lab locations
Nationwide, with nothing due at the lab.

About this test

This test measures IgE antibodies to cotton fiber, found in textile and cotton processing work. People often check it when asthma or congestion track with exposure at work. A positive result shows sensitization, which is not the same as an allergy. No fasting is needed.

For adults 18 and older. Test availability varies by lab location.

Who should take this test?

For adults whose breathing or nasal symptoms seem to track with exposure to cotton fiber at work, as part of care with an occupational health or allergy specialist.

Ask about this test

Not sure this is the right test?

AI-generated. For information only, not medical advice. Call 911 for an emergency.

What does this test measure?

Your result shows whether your blood has IgE to cotton fiber. An occupational health or allergy specialist reads it with your work history and when your symptoms happen.

Cotton fiber-specific IgE (o1)
Specific IgE is an antibody the immune system can make against one allergen. This marker measures IgE that recognizes cotton fiber, found in textile and cotton processing work. A level above the lab’s reference range shows sensitization.
Why it’s measured: Checks for IgE sensitization to cotton fiber when symptoms track with exposure at work.

How it works

  1. Step 1

    Order online

    Check out here. A licensed clinician in your state reviews your order and sends it to the lab.

  2. Step 2

    Visit a lab

    Bring a photo ID to any of 2,000+ lab locations. No fasting needed, and nothing is due at the lab.

  3. Step 3

    Get your results

    Results post to your account, usually in 3 to 5 days, each number next to the lab’s reference range.

Find a lab near you

Choose from 2,000+ lab locations nationwide. Your order works at any of them.

What your results tell you

Your result is reported as an IgE level in kU/L and compared with the lab’s reference range. A level above the range shows sensitization.

  • Your number next to the lab’s reference range
  • Explained in plain language
  • A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test.
  • A lab report you can download and share

An occupational health or allergy specialist reads this result with your work history and when your symptoms happen.

Clinical-grade testing, from the comfort of home.

From the lab to your report, every step of our process meets the gold standard in medical testing.

  • CLIA-certified labs

    Every lab we partner with is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, meeting both state and federal standards with regular independent inspections.

  • We protect your health data

    We protect your health data with encryption and do not sell it. Some results must be reported to public health authorities by law. See our Privacy Notice.

  • Rigorous quality assurance

    All partner labs run regular internal quality checks, participate in proficiency testing, and comply with federal and state lab regulations.

  • Clinician-reviewed reports

    Results are reviewed by an independent, licensed clinician.

Questions

Common questions.

Anything else, our care team answers by phone, text, or email.

Not on its own. A positive result means your immune system has made IgE to cotton fiber, which is called sensitization. Many people who are sensitized have no symptoms when they are exposed.

A diagnosis of allergy is made by a healthcare provider who looks at your symptoms and history along with results like this one. A negative result also does not by itself mean you are not allergic.

An occupational health or allergy specialist interprets results like this, together with your work history and when your symptoms happen. Symptoms that ease away from work and return on workdays are one pattern they look for.

A positive result shows sensitization to cotton fiber, not that work exposure is the cause of your symptoms.

Not necessarily. Reactions to substances at work may not involve IgE, and a negative result does not clear an allergy. A specialist may use other information to understand symptoms that track with exposure to cotton fiber.

If breathing trouble is sudden or severe, get emergency care right away (call 911).

Lab tests are informational and don’t diagnose conditions on their own. Available to adults 18 and older; test availability varies by lab location. A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test. All testing is performed at CLIA-certified laboratories. Not for emergencies: if you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911.