Testing for food allergies is an important step to determine if you have a reaction to a particular food or drink. An intolerance to foods that are common allergens will cause a negative response to the same foods when they are consumed. The most common food allergies include peanuts, shellfish, wheat, cow's milk and tree nuts. Each of these foods contain different sets of proteins that can cause a negative reaction. Some common allergens include:
Allergic reactions can be triggered by several factors. Exposure to allergens is one of the main factors. In the past, food allergies were often attributed to poor digestion or other unknown reasons. Today, however, doctors have identified specific genes or cells within the immune system that can cause allergic reactions. It has been proven that people with these genes are more susceptible to food allergies.
If testing for food allergies is done according to the specific foods identified in the digestive system, then it is more likely to produce a positive result. However, there is an increased risk for negative results when testing is done according to a careful history of allergic episodes. Food allergy tests are conducted on a part of the individual which has a slightly higher immunity to the allergen. In most cases, the individual with the highest level of resistance to food allergies is the first to be tested. This is due to the fact that if the individual is highly allergic to one type of food, he/she should have developed the reaction consistently over time.
There are two further tests which can be done to confirm the diagnosis of food allergies. One of these tests involves administration of a nasal allergy test. This test is known as the nasal challenge test. When the allergist injects an aqueous solution into the sinuses, it is possible to identify any potential allergens that may have been missed by an initial visit to the allergist.
The other test employed by allergy specialists is a skin test known as the patch test. This test is very similar to the normal allergy test that is conducted by doctors using the patient's blood. However, since it only involves the application of a small amount of a specific allergen on the patient's skin, there is a much higher degree of reliability for the results obtained from this test. Because this test can only identify those allergens which have a greater affinity for humans, therefore it relies heavily on the knowledge and experience of the allergist as well as the expertise of the laboratory staff.
Testing for food allergies is also performed on individuals who exhibit signs of having anaphylactic shock. This consists of two separate procedures. The first involves the stimulation of the immune system to release histamine. When histamine is released, it causes swelling within the mouth and throat area. A second procedure uses a method known as EIA (endoscopic innervation).
The Food Allergy Panel has completed thousands of allergy tests and performed hundreds of evaluations. Because food testing can be extremely complicated, allergy specialists have made it possible for most individuals who experience hives or symptoms related to allergies to obtain a quick diagnosis by undergoing one of these simple tests. Food tests are usually simple and easy to do not require any special equipment to perform. This means that individuals suffering from food allergies can receive a proper diagnosis and start getting their lives back.
As with any health condition, it is very important to know what to do if you believe that you may be allergic to a particular food. In the case of food allergies, it is important to know exactly what you are allergic to keep a food diary. Keeping a food diary is similar to keeping a health diary in that it will help you to monitor your symptoms and provide you with information about how your body is reacting to various foods. In addition to a food diary, it is also important to know what you should be doing to decrease the possibility of suffering from hives or other types of symptoms. Common allergens include: coffee, eggs, soy products, fish, shellfish, peanuts, wheat, peanuts, corn, sesame seeds, oranges and more.