The types of allergy testing for food include skin testing. The skin prick test is conducted in a doctor's office, with results given within 15-30 minutes. Blood testing is the second type, which measures the IgE antibody level of the food(s) being tested. The third type is the oral food challenge, where the patient is fed continually by increasing the suspected allergy-causing food amounts over a set timeframe.
This article explores the different types of food allergy testing. Read on.
Types of Food Allergy Testing
Food allergy testing helps determine food allergies. These tests are often reliable when done right and interpreted by a certified allergist. After the procedure, the professional allergist will review and interpret the test results and then use them to present the diagnosis.
The main types of food allergy testing include the following:
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Skin Testing
The skin testing, or skin prick test, is conducted by an allergist or a nurse. It involves pricking your arm or back skin using a tiny, sterile probe that contains small amounts of the food allergen. The test is not usually painful but can get uncomfortable (itchy).
The skin test is considered positive if a wheal that resembles a mosquito bite bump develops at the site. The wheal (lump) size doesn't determine the severity of your reaction when you eat that food.
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Blood Testing
The less sensitive blood tests measure the IgE antibody amounts of the specific food(s) under testing. Results are available within 1 to 2 weeks and are reported in number form. The IgE antibody levels given for a particular food don't necessarily determine how severe the reaction will be once you eat the food.
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Oral Food Challenge
The oral food challenge, which the allergist may recommend, is the gold standard for diagnosing food allergy. During the procedure, the practitioner will gradually feed the patient food suspected of being allergy-causing.
They add the food amounts slowly over a period of time, under close supervision by the allergist. Also, the emergency medical kit must be available throughout the entire procedure.
However, the procedure can be expensive and time-consuming, and sometimes, it can be risky. Hence, healthcare providers do not always perform it routinely. Besides, a challenge can be done to determine if a patient has overcome the food allergy.
A positive test result for a particular food does not always mean that a patient will always react to that food once eaten. Conversely, a negative test helps to rule out food allergies. Also, the tests won't predict how severely the patient will react whenever they eat a particular food. Furthermore, some people can test "allergic" to a particular food (by skin or blood test), yet they show no symptoms when they eat it.
Conclusion
Diagnosing food allergies can be a hurdle. However, you don't have to suffer from the problem in silence. Allergists are highly specialised, with expertise training in testing and diagnosing food allergies. Remember that allergic food reactions can get severe and affect your skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract, or even cardiovascular system. Your allergist will prescribe the proper treatment once a positive diagnosis test is proven. It helps to have a good health insurance plan to cover your treatment costs.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your general physician or another certified medical professional for any questions regarding a medical condition. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.