Sometimes we have seen, right? Some people get red and itchy all over their bodies after eating food like shrimp or crab. Or some small children have difficulty breathing after eating something like peanuts. We call this a food allergy. So do you suspect that you might have a problem when you eat such a food? So, today we are talking about the tests that are done to identify exactly what food it is, is it really an allergy?
What is a Food Allergy Test?
Simply put, this is a test that helps your doctor and you determine whether you are actually allergic to a particular food, and if so, to what specific food.
If you have any doubts about a food, the first thing to do is see a doctor. It's best if it's a doctor who specializes in allergies. He or she will ask you questions.
- What symptoms are you experiencing?
- What foods cause these symptoms?
- How long after eating do these things happen?
Sometimes, your doctor can identify the type of food you're having trouble with from just this little information. Otherwise, he or she may recommend one or more of these tests.
But one thing to remember is that these tests are not 100% accurate. Therefore, even after the test results come in, you should work with your doctor to come to the most accurate conclusion .
What are the symptoms of an allergy?
The symptoms of a food allergy can vary from person to person. What may be mild to one person can be life-threatening to another. Let's take a look at some of the most common symptoms.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Mouth and throat changes | A tingling or itching sensation inside the mouth or throat. |
| Skin problems | Conditions such as hives, itching all over the body, and eczema. |
| Swelling | Swelling of the lips, face, tongue, or throat. |
| Breathing difficulties | Nasal congestion, wheezing, difficulty breathing. |
| Digestive system problems | Stomach ache, diarrhea, vomiting. |
| Other features | Dizziness , blurred vision, or fainting. |
The most dangerous condition: Anaphylaxis
Some people can have a very severe allergic reaction. This is called anaphylaxis. This is an emergency that requires immediate treatment . The symptoms include :
- Difficulty breathing due to narrowing of the airways
- Feeling like your throat is swollen and blocked
- Sudden drop in blood pressure
- Heart rate is very fast.
- Loss of consciousness
If you see something like this happening to you or someone else, you should immediately take them to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) without delaying a single minute.
The most common skin test (Skin Prick Test)
This is the most popular and quickest test for food allergies. It can check if you are allergic to several foods at the same time.
Imagine you went to the doctor . He does this test like this:
1. First, a drop of liquid made from the food you think you may be allergic to is placed on your skin (usually on the back of your hand or forearm).
2. Then, with a very small, thin needle, a small amount of the liquid is applied to the skin. This does not hurt, but feels like a slight tickle.
3. Now I'm waiting for about 15-20 minutes to see what happens.
If a small red welt appears where the liquid from a food was, as if a mosquito had bitten you , it means you may be allergic to that food. If there is no change, you are probably not allergic to that food.
How to find out with blood tests?
This is another way to test for food allergies, but doctors don't use it as often as the skin prick test.
What happens here is that a blood sample is taken from you and sent to a lab. At the lab, the antibodies in that blood are tested to see if they react to various allergens.
This can take a week or more to get results. This method is used when your doctor has a good idea of what you are allergic to, without directly exposing you to it.
The important thing is that neither skin tests nor blood tests can tell you exactly how severe an allergy you have. That is, just because the test is positive doesn't mean you'll have a severe reaction, nor does just because there was a slight difference in the test mean the reaction will be minor.
Risky, but the right way: Controlled Food Challenge
This is not a test that doctors routinely perform, as it can be very dangerous for someone with severe allergies.
So why do a test like this?
- Confirm the result of a skin or blood test.
- Check to see if a young child has no longer had an allergy (e.g., milk, eggs).
- Sometimes, even if the skin test is positive, there may not be any symptoms after eating that food. In such cases, confirm it.
This test is always done under the close supervision of a doctor or a hospital . This way, if a severe reaction occurs, you can be treated quickly. The doctor will give you a very small amount of the suspected food. Then, gradually increasing the amount, they will watch carefully for several hours to see if any symptoms appear.
Warning: Do not, under any circumstances, attempt this test at home on your own. Don't even think, "I'll just take a bite and see what happens." It can have serious, life-threatening consequences.
Take-Home Message
- If you experience unusual symptoms (itching, hives, difficulty breathing) after eating a certain food, it could be a food allergy. Talk to your doctor about it.
- There are two main types of allergy tests: Skin Prick Test and Blood Test. Your doctor will recommend the test that is most appropriate for you.
- Anaphylaxis is a severe, emergency condition. If you experience symptoms such as swelling of the throat and shortness of breath, go to the hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- These test results are not 100% accurate, so you should work with your doctor to reach a final conclusion.
- Never go out and 'test' foods on your own. It can be very dangerous. Always follow medical advice.
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