How do you test for food allergies?
If you suspect that you have a food allergy, it is crucial to see an allergist. Your allergist will diagnose and test for food allergies. It took us a while to find a good allergist, but our new doctor is great. Read our story here. A great resource for understanding food allergies and symptoms is through F.A.R.E.’s website (Food Allergy Research & Education):
Here are the most common methods used to test for food allergies:
Skin prick test: This involves placing a small amount of the suspected allergen on the skin and then pricking or scratching the skin to allow the allergen to enter the body. If you are allergic to the substance, you will develop a raised bump or rash at the test site.
Blood test: A blood test can measure the amount of allergy-causing antibodies in your bloodstream. A blood sample is taken and analyzed for the presence of specific antibodies that your immune system produces in response to the allergen.
Oral food challenge: This test involves eating small amounts of the suspected allergen under medical supervision. This is typically done in a doctor’s office or hospital where emergency care is readily available if necessary.
We’ve done all three tests. We usually do the first two at each visit and then the food challenge if the other two come out looking good.
It’s important to note that some people may have false positive or false negative results with any of these tests, so it’s important to work with a qualified medical professional to interpret the results and develop a plan for managing your food allergies.