{"id":6384,"date":"2017-10-11T06:21:23","date_gmt":"2017-10-11T06:21:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alldaychemist.com\/blog\/?p=6384"},"modified":"2023-06-15T10:35:32","modified_gmt":"2023-06-15T10:35:32","slug":"5-ways-diagnose-food-allergy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alldaychemist.com\/blog\/5-ways-diagnose-food-allergy\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways to Diagnose a Food Allergy"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the most important steps in the diagnosis of food allergy is obtaining a careful medical history. Standard skin and blood tests are performed to detect a certain type of allergies.<\/p>\n

Food allergy affects up to 6 to 8% of children under three years of age, and around 4% adults have a food allergy. Studies revealed that among food allergy, allergy to peanut is on the top. Large numbers of people are becoming aware of food allergy, and the topic has become a public concern. This document will help you understand allergic reactions of foods and their possible causes, and how a food allergy can be diagnosed and treated.<\/p>\n

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Also Read:\u00a0Understanding Allergic Rhinitis: Types and Medical Remedies<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

About Food Allergy<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n

An allergy occurs when the body\u2019s immune system reacts to a substance called allergen in the environment, which is usually harmless. These allergens may include food, pollen, dust mite, and animal dander. The most common type of allergic reactions<\/a>\u00a0includes allergic conjunctivitis, which is one of the most commonly reported allergic diseases\u00a0that are caused by pollen or mold spores.<\/p>\n

Another common allergy is a food allergy or food hypersensitivity. A food allergy occurs only when the immune system is involved in causing the reaction. The food you are allergic to can be called as a food allergen, which is the part of food that stimulates the immune system of food allergic individuals. A food item carries multiple food allergens; most of them are likely to be proteins instead of fats and carbohydrates. An individual with food allergy produces a high amount of IgE (an antibody in the immune system). When such people eat a certain food, their body\u2019s immune system is stimulated by the food allergens in order to make IgE specific to that food. When IgE on the surface of basophils and mast cells come in contact with food allergens, these specialized cells of the immune system that are responsible for causing allergic reaction stimulates the release of prostaglandins, histamine, and leukotrienes. These mediators are the powerful compound that causes allergic reactions.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of Food Allergy<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Most allergic reactions are caused by a limited number of foods such as eggs, shellfish, milk, peanuts, soy, fish, walnuts, and wheat.<\/p>\n

Food allergy symptoms and signs involve the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and skin. These allergic symptoms occur alone or in combination with more than one symptom occurring at one time.<\/p>\n

A food allergy begins within minutes to a few hours after eating the allergic food item. While in sensitive people, simply touching or inhaling the food can give rise to an allergic reaction.<\/p>\n

Common food allergy symptoms and signs\u00a0involve swelling or itching of the lips or swelling in the mouth or throat. Entry of food allergen in the stomach can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and cramping. One may also experience eczema, itching, hives, and redness of the skin. Shortness of breath, a runny nose, and sneezing are other symptoms of a food allergy.<\/p>\n

Diagnosis of Food Allergy \u00a0<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you are diagnosed with a food allergy, your health care specialist will suggest an allergy clinic or center for testing. These tests are required depending on the type of allergy. If you have IgE mediated food allergy, you will probably be given a skin prick test or a blood test to determine food allergies. While in case of non-IgE mediated food allergy, a food elimination diet is preferred.<\/p>\n