When Should You Take A Food Sensitivity Test

Published on: 26th December 2022
Medically reviewed by: Medical Director at First Response Healthcare

Food sensitivity or intolerance is when some people show unwanted physiological reactions to certain foods. These bodily reactions can include symptoms such as upset stomach, bloating, and other gastrointestinal problems.

People often get confused between the difference in food sensitivities/intolerances and food allergies. The major difference to understand between the two is that food allergies are caused by an overreaction of the immune system, whereas the reactions of food sensitivities and intolerances are generally predictable and they increase based on how much more of the same food is consumed. Over and above this, allergic reactions can have unpredictable severity and they can occur even with minimal exposure to certain foods or even just skin contact.

Examples of food sensitivities and intolerances include:

Lactose or dairy intolerance
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity
Caffeine intolerance
Alcohol sensitivity
Intolerance to food additives like sulfites
Intolerance to FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols)

What Is Food Allergy Testing?

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.

What Are The Benefits Of Taking A Food Sensitivity Test?

Taking a food sensitivity test can lead to several wide-ranging benefits based on how you use the information that you’ve received from the food sensitivity test results.

A Better & More Suitable Diet – After knowing which foods don’t suit your body, you will be able to craft a more suitable, healthy, and delicious diet for yourself. You will no longer need to worry about what food might or might go well with your system since you will already be well aware of food items that are not good for your body. Taking a food sensitivity test will allow you to be in control and will help you make more informed decisions about what foods are good for you and what isn’t.
Helps Avoid Adverse Reactions – The most important benefit of a food sensitivity test is reduced reactions and chronic inflammation. Undergoing food allergy testing will help you remove foods that lead to allergic reactions or food intolerance and sensitivities. You no longer need to be tackling adverse reactions or wondering why you have an upset stomach after taking a food sensitivity test.
Better Energy Level & Performance – After taking the food sensitivity test, when you start avoiding food items that cause pain and discomfort to your body, you will experience improved energy levels and performance. Given that you’ll start avoiding foods that you are allergic or sensitive to, your body will no longer be having a hard time digesting something that harms or troubles your system.
Improved Sleep – Once you avoid the necessary foods after a food sensitivity test, your body will have to spend less time breaking down those difficult foods and instead, it’ll spend more time regenerating itself during a sleep cycle.

Where Can You Take A Food Sensitivity Test?

A suitable food sensitivity test is prescribed by the doctor after understanding your symptoms to help ascertain the most probable sensitivity or intolerance. The food sensitivity test is generally conducted in a hospital, clinic, or medical laboratory.

However, an at-home food sensitivity test is also available for certain types of food sensitivities. FRH has the option through which food allergy testing is possible in the comfort of your home. Tests for lactose intolerance and celiac disease are possible through our at-home kits, wherein you can obtain a blood sample that can then be sent to a laboratory for a food sensitivity test. If your test is positive, you’ll probably require follow-up tests as prescribed by the doctor.

If you are showing certain symptoms or if you are vulnerable to certain risk factors stated above, you should discuss your symptoms with a doctor to figure out the most appropriate tests for you.

At-Home Food Sensitivity Test | First Response Healthcare

If you’re looking to get a food allergy test or food sensitivity test done in Dubai, you can do so in the comfort of your own home through an at-home food sensitivity test provided by First Response Healthcare (FRH). First Response Healthcare (FRH) is a JCI-accredited home healthcare company in Dubai that provides comprehensive food sensitivity tests. FRH provides high-quality, patient-centered care and makes a range of healthcare services available right at your doorstep. For its high-quality standards, FRH has received the Gold Seal of Approval for meeting the Joint Commission International Standards for Home Healthcare.

Benefits of At Home Food Sensitivity Testing By FRH:

24/7 Home Sample Collection Facility
Choice Between 200 And 300 Foods
Review Of Results And Dietary Advice By Physician
Our Doctor Can Visit You At Your Home To Explain The Test Results
Option Of Combination With Full Body Health Checkup Package

FRH has a team of highly competent & DHA-licensed doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and medical experts, who work 24*7, 365 days a year to deliver reliable and professional home care services at your home, hotel, or office located anywhere within the Emirate of Dubai. Our team makes sure to provide kind and compassionate medical attention to patients from all age groups and across diversities.

Features That Make FRH Different:

Time for Appointments: You can book an appointment with us at any time or day that works for you best. Our services are available 24/7, 365 days a year.
Time To Reach You: We can reach you within 30* minutes after you call and make an appointment
Areas Our Services Cover: Entire Emirate of Dubai
Where Our Doctors Visit You In Dubai: Home, Hotel, or Office
To make an appointment, all you need to do is: Call on 0505050 387 or 800DIALDOC.

To book an at home food sensitivity test in Dubai, you can call on 0505050387 or 800DIALDOC. You can also reach out to us by visiting – https://firstresponsehealthcare.com/ae/dubai