As discussed early, when you have a food allergy, the immune system treats the specific food items as if it’s a dangerous virus, bacteria, or any other infectious agent. The immune system’s reaction to a food allergy can cause anything from mild rashes to abdominal pain to even a life-threatening complication called anaphylactic shock. People are generally allergic to Milk, Soy, Wheat, Eggs, Tree nuts like – almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, Fish, Shellfish, and Peanuts. Symptoms of food sensitivity, on the other hand, are limited to digestive problems such as abdominal pain, nausea, gas, and diarrhea.
Through food allergy testing or a food sensitivity test, you can find out whether or not you have a food sensitivity and allergy, and if yes then to which food items. Through a food sensitivity test or food allergy testing, you’ll be able to identify food items that provoke an abnormal reaction in your body.
Once the results of food allergy testing or the food sensitivity tests come back positive, a doctor can guide you on the next steps or can refer you to an allergist – a doctor who is a specialist in diagnosing and treating allergies and asthma.
When Should You Take A Food Sensitivity Test?
You should consider taking a food sensitivity test if you are vulnerable because of certain risk factors or if you experience certain symptoms. Once you recognize these symptoms, you should reach out to a doctor, who will then help you narrow down the particular sensitivity or food intolerance that you might have towards a certain food or food category.
The risk factors that should prompt you to take a food sensitivity test are as follows:
- If your family has a history of food allergies or sensitivities
- If you have asthma
- If you have other types of allergies such as hay fever or eczema
Symptoms of food allergies affect one or more of the different body parts mentioned below. You should take undertake food allergy testing or a food sensitivity test if you experience the following symptoms:
- Symptoms on the skin such as hives, tingling, itching, and redness. In babies, one of the first symptoms of a food allergy is often a rash.
- Experiencing issues because of issues in the digestive system such as abdominal pain, metallic taste in the mouth, and swelling and/or itching of the tongue.
- Issues in the respiratory system. The symptoms include coughing, wheezing, nasal congestion, trouble breathing, and tightness in the chest.
Experiencing an anaphylactic shock, wherein the entire body is affected. Symptoms may include:
- Rapid swelling of the tongue, lips, and/or throat
- Tightening of the airways and trouble breathing
- Fast pulse
- Dizziness
- Pale skin
- Feeling faint
If you are allergic to certain foods, you may experience symptoms soon after consuming or being exposed to the allergic substance in the food item. If you or someone you know experiences an anaphylactic shock, it is important to get medical treatment immediately since an anaphylactic shock can be fatal. If you are allergic to certain food and are at risk of anaphylactic shock, the doctor or allergist might prescribe a small device, called an auto-injector, that you can use in an emergency. This injector delivers a dose of epinephrine, a medicine that slows down the allergic reaction. However, even after using this, it is important to get medical help after an allergic reaction.