Food Allergy

Up to 36 million Americans have a food allergy. There’s no cure for food allergies, but various treatments can ease symptoms and improve your quality of life. At the Asthma and Allergy Wellness Center in St. Charles, Illinois, allergy, asthma, and immunology specialists Priya Bansal, MD, and Haley Young, PA, offer skin and blood testing for food allergies. A quick outpatient screening can determine your risk of food allergies and help guide treatment. Call the office to schedule food allergy testing or request an appointment online today.

What is a food allergy?

Food allergies occur when your body’s immune system identifies something you eat as a potentially harmful invader. That causes your immune system to produce proteins called antibodies –– triggering various symptoms. 

Food allergies vary in severity. In some people, they cause minor gastrointestinal problems. But for others, they cause a potentially life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.

What are the symptoms of a food allergy?

Symptoms of a food allergy include:

• Hives, itching, and eczema
• Tingling in the mouth
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, or face
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
• Wheezing or nasal congestion
• Gastrointestinal problems, like vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea

Sometimes, food allergies trigger an anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis causes life-threatening symptoms, like a rapid pulse and severe drop in blood pressure. If you or a loved one have these symptoms, call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room immediately.

What are some common food allergies?

Your body’s immune system can identify any food as potentially harmful, but there are certain agents that commonly trigger allergic reactions, including:

• Peanuts
• Shellfish, such as shrimp, crab, and lobster
• Chicken eggs
• Cow’s milk
• Wheat
• Soy

Some people are allergic to tree nuts, including walnuts and almonds.

How is a food allergy diagnosed?

There’s not one specific test used to diagnose food allergies. Your provider at the Asthma and Allergy Wellness Center asks about your symptoms, reviews your health history, and completes a physical exam. 

Next, they order specialized tests. Your provider might recommend:

Skin prick test

A skin prick test exposes you to one or more types of food. Your provider injects a small amount of a specific allergen into the skin on your arm or back. If you’re allergic to that substance, your skin turns red or develops welts.

Blood test

A blood test analyzes the number of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in your blood. High IgE levels indicate an allergic response to a specific type of food.

Oral food challenge test

During an oral food challenge test, you eat a small amount of a specific food. Your provider then monitors your reaction and slowly increases the amount of the food you eat. 

How are food allergies treated?

There’s no cure for food allergies, but you can prevent flare-ups by avoiding foods and drinks that trigger your symptoms.

If you have a minor food allergy, your provider might recommend taking over-the-counter antihistamines. If you have a severe food allergy that increases your risk of anaphylaxis, they might prescribe an epinephrine injector for emergency situations.

Call the Asthma and Allergy Wellness Center to receive treatment for a food allergy, or request an appointment online today.