The Diagnosis & Treatment of Food Allergies

A food allergy is an immune system response to a food that the body mistakenly believes is harmful. Once the immune system decides that a particular food is harmful, it creates specific antibodies to it. The next time the individual eats that food the immune system releases massive amounts of chemicals, including histamine, in order to protect the body. These chemicals trigger a cascade of allergic symptoms that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, or cardiovascular system.

Scientists estimate that approximately 11 million Americans suffer from true food allergies. At the present time, there is no cure for food allergy. Avoidance is the only way to prevent an allergic reaction.

Although an individual could be allergic to any food, such as fruits, vegetables, and meats, they are not as common as the following eight foods, which account for 90% of all food-allergic reactions

Milk

Eggs

Peanuts

Tree nuts (walnut, cashew, etc.)

Fish

Shellfish

Soy

Wheat

The diagnosis of food allergies can seem complicated because reactions to foods are often delayed and may be affected by many factors, including insufficient rest, stress, and other allergens we are exposed to at the same time. Indeed, it is usually impossible to determine what you are allergic to on your own, therefore, medical testing and help from the right health professionals is important.

The skin-prick test or a blood test, such as the RAST (radioallergosorbent test), is commonly used to begin to determine if an allergy exists.

A skin-prick test is usually cheaper and can be done in the doctor's office. The doctor places a drop of the substance being tested on the patients' forearm or back and pricks the skin with a needle allowing a tiny amount to enter the skin. If the patient is allergic to the substance, a wheal (mosquito bite-like bump) will form at the site within about 15 minutes.

A RAST requires a blood sample. The sample is sent to a medical laboratory where tests are done with specific foods to determine whether the patient has IgE antibodies to that food. The results are usually received within one week.

Although both tests are reliable, there are instances where one is better than the other. Many doctors use a RAST for young children or patients who have eczema or other skin problems that would make if difficult to read the results of a skin-prick test. The results of either test are combined with other information, such as a history of symptoms, to determine whether a food allergy exists.

The treatment of food allergy can, like its diagnosis, seem complex. Food allergies are often treated from several directions at the same time, such as eliminating allergens, strengthening the patient nutritionally, and modifying the patient's immune response. It is not something your doctor can do for you by himself or herself. As a patient with food allergies, you must be actively involved in your treatment. By making the necessary changes in your lifestyle and becoming a well-informed participant in your own health care, you can enjoy the benefits of improved health.