Food allergy symptoms are experienced if your body does not have sufficient enzymes to break down the proteins in food or to digest the particular food. Similarly, you may notice food intolerance symptoms when your body starts reacting adversely towards certain kind of chemicals in food. If you think that you are suffering from allergy symptoms, you should undergo food allergy testing immediately, so that you will be able to find out which elements in food are causing allergic reaction or what kind of digestive system problem you have. Symptoms of food intolerance may aggravate if neglected. Though rare, food allergy symptoms can be as severe as anaphylactic shock and very low blood pressure. Such a severe reaction may prove to be fatal.
Food Allergy
Symptoms
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heartburn
- Headache
- Abdominal cramps
- Gases, bloating
- Increased discomfort, irritability, nervousness
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Skin rash or hives
- Flushing or swelling of the lips, throat, tongue, or face
- Breathing difficulty
- Runny nose
- Low blood pressure
Types
It is estimated that about 8% of toddlers belonging to the age group 1-4 years, have some type of food allergies. If one of the parents have some kind of food allergy, the child is more likely to experience some allergy, though "
NOT" necessarily the same allergy. In such cases, food allergy testing in children should be done voluntarily and parents should check the child's skin or overall health for allergy symptoms. Foods or substances that cause allergy are known as allergens. Peanut, cow's milk, chicken's egg, shellfish, fish, tree nuts, wheat, soybeans, sesame and other seeds and seed oils are some of the most common allergens. Studies show that toddlers and infants with weak immune system or weak digestive system are more likely to suffer from allergies. You may read more on
- Milk Allergy
- Wheat Allergy
- Peanut Allergy
The immune system of the child develops special type of antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE) when certain type of food is consumed. IgEs wait for re-exposure to food allergens and as soon as the food is ingested, IgEs hungrily latch onto the food. Immediately, histamine and other allergy-related chemicals are released. This results in stomach pain, diarrhea, skin rashes, hives, swelling, wheezing and in the most severe cases, anaphylaxis. IgG antibodies are responsible for 'delayed' food reactions.
Testing
With food allergies increasing at an alarming rate, allergy testing has become an invariable part of modern life. Only a skin test or a blood test cannot help detect the reason of food allergy. The patient is expected to provide sufficient information regarding what he/she ate over the last several hours. Skin tests and blood tests are ordered to detect the allergen but you have to bear it in mind that there are chances of getting a false positive result. Doctors may check for vitamin deficiencies. While testing for food allergy, stools may also be examined for the malabsorption level of gluten or other allergens. Complete blood count can be measured to check for anemia. Electrolyte, protein and calcium levels will also be checked. The testing procedure may vary according to the symptoms.
The doctor will ask you several questions regarding food you ate. He may ask you to eat it in small quantity again and may observe the symptoms. The doctor may put small amount of suspected food on the skin of your forearm or back and then prick the skin with a fine needle. Thus the substance is forcefully passed through your skin. Development of a bump or reaction confirms the allergy. The amount of allergy-type antibodies (IgE) in your bloodstream help evaluate the response of your immune system. Blood sample is tested with different food samples. ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test helps detect allergy with the help of IgG food antibody levels.
Sometimes, people have some other digestive system problems and they start avoiding foods they're not really allergic to, to prevent the symptoms (which are similar to allergy symptoms). Another point to remember is that a person is rarely found allergic to more than one or two foods. The tests might be repeated to check whether the food allergy has subsided over time. It is very common that cow's milk, hen's eggs, wheat and soybeans allergies fade over time. It has also been observed that peanut, tree-nut, and seafood allergies do not generally subside with time. Genetic factors, family history do influence food allergies.
Relief
People with lactose intolerance need to follow a
dairy free diet. Antihistamines are prescribed by doctors for quick allergy relief. Dietary changes help lower allergy symptoms significantly. Severe reactions are treated with an injection of epinephrine. The best way to avoid such a reaction is to read the labels carefully and avoid the allergen.
Food allergy testing at home involves eliminating or narrowing down the intake of foods which you suspect you are sensitive to. Avoid the suspected food for at least 15 days and then purposely include it in your diet again. Generally, within 0-24 hours your body will exhibit symptoms if the food proves to be an allergen for you.
Overlooked and untreated food allergies may result in gastrointestinal, neurological, lung-chest problems. Skin, ear, nose and throat, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and endocrine problems may arise due to neglected food allergies. 'Tolerance' is nothing but becoming less sensitive to food to which you have been allergic. Allergy testing helps diagnose the problem, assess the severity of the problem and determine the correct treatment.
