Food Allergy Testing
It’s estimated that nearly 32 million Americans suffer from food allergies. Nearly 1 in 13 children have food allergies. In order to diagnose and treat food allergens, AOC provides food sensitivity testing. Our testing includes three main categories – skin testing, blood testing and food challenges.
Skin Testing for Food Allergies
For most patients, allergy testing begins with a skin test. During this test, the allergist will place a liquid form of the food allergen on your skin. Using a small needle, our team will gently prick the skin to allow the solution to enter. Depending on the patient’s needs, this process may be used only for specific foods that have caused reactions in the past, or a variety of allergens may be used to predict any future reactions.
After the skin has been pricked, our team will monitor and measure the reaction to determine next steps.
Common Symptoms/Reactions from Food Allergies:
Reactions from food allergies can vary among patients. The most common initial reactions include hives or raised bumps around the mouth, irritability, and upset stomach. It’s much less common, but some patients will experience an anaphylactic reaction such as trouble breathing or voice changes from throat swelling.
Blood Testing for Food Allergies
Another option to test for food allergies is to complete a blood test. This includes drawing your blood and running a test to look for the presence of IgE antibodies to specific foods. The results from this test will take a few days to process. Once our team receives the results, we will call you to discuss next steps.
Food Challenges for Food Allergies
If determined safe and appropriate for the patient’s specific situation, our allergist may perform a food challenge. An oral food challenge is conducted in our office and consists of gradually increasing the amounts of food consumed. Our team will supervise the patient during the entire test to monitor any reactions.
What's the difference in a food allergy and a food sensitivity?
The body’s response is the main difference between a food allergy and a food sensitivity. When a person has a food allergy, the immune system causes the reaction by identifying a protein in what you eat as an invader and reacting by producing antibodies to fight it. Eight foods account for 90 percent of allergic reactions: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and soybeans.
Symptoms of food allergy include:
Hives
Swelling
Itching
Anaphylaxis
Dizziness
If a person has a food sensitivity or intolerance, the reaction is triggered by the digestive system. Food sensitivities and intolerances are more common than food allergies. This is where the body can’t properly break food down for digestion or reacts to sugars/additives/preservatives found in certain foods.
Symptoms of food sensitivity/intolerance include:
Gas
Bloating
Diarrhea
Constipation
Cramping
Nausea
Our allergist in Little Rock will help diagnose and treat your specific allergy.
Pediatric and Adult Allergy & Immunology
Dr. Meredith Dilley is now accepting new patients.