Food Allergy Testing

Causes:
Food allergies occur when the immune system reacts to certain foods, most commonly: milk, eggs, wheat, soy, sesame seed, peanut, tree nut, fin fish, and shellfish.

Symptoms:
Symptoms of a food allergy include rash/hives, swelling of the lips, face, tongue, and throat, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.

Diagnosis:
Diagnosis involves reviewing the patient’s medical history, conducting skin prick tests, blood tests for IgE antibodies, and performing oral food challenges (if appropriate) under medical supervision.

Treatment:
Managing food allergies primarily involves avoiding trigger foods. Mild reactions can be treated with antihistamines, while severe reactions require the use of epinephrine auto-injectors. Food allergy can wane with time to some foods. Patients should also have an allergy action plan and receive education on managing their condition. For some foods, desensitization is possible. Use of biologic injections are emerging to incorporate into management of food allergy and to prevent anaphylaxis. 

Complications:
Food allergies can lead to anaphylaxis, nutritional deficiencies if multiple foods are avoided, and anxiety or stress related to food consumption.