The Importance of Food Allergy Testing in a Modern World

The modern world has brought new foods to our tables, as well as some new strains of existing food. We all love experiencing new flavors and dishes, which could also lead to food allergies. There are more and more food allergies present today, and the biggest one is definitely allergy to peanuts. But, besides that one, there are others that are even less severe.

No matter if you’ve experienced reactions to some foods, or you would like to try new things, it’s important to rely on allergy testing. As the world is changing, as well as food, allergy tests have become one of the most significant tests a person can do. So, let’s see what food allergies are and why testing is important.

What Exactly are Food Allergies?

Just like any other allergy, food allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a particular food. This reaction causes you to develop symptoms such as:

- Vomiting

- Indigestion

- Abdominal pain

- rashes/hives

- Tingling lips, itching

What’s more, food allergies can change throughout your life and could appear or even disappear as you get older. But, if you’ve had an allergy to some food when you were a child, and it seems to be gone in adulthood, you should still get tested, just to be safe before you consume that specific ingredient or food.

Most Common Types of Food Allergies

There is a list of common food allergies that people experience in their lives. But, there is also a list of less common allergies that people suffer from. To understand your own body and reactions to some foods, you should opt for allergy testing. Such tests can help you identify to which specific foods you are allergic to and to what extent. Then, you can eliminate such food from your diet and make sure to never eat it again, especially if you are severely allergic. To help you get started, here are some of the most common food allergies that people suffer from:

- Peanuts

- Milk

- Eggs

- Tree nuts

- Soy

- Fish

- Wheat

- Shellfish

Additionally, if these don’t bother your body, but you do still have symptoms, it might be that you are allergic to less common foods, including:

- corn

- gelatin

- meat

- seeds

- spices

- apples

- avocados

- citrus fruit

How Food Allergy Testing Works?

Today, allergy testing is of utmost importance. Most foods that have several ingredients will contain traces of highly allergenic foods. If you do have symptoms, but are not sure to which food you are allergic to, you should get tested. There are three ways to perform an allergy test:

- Blood test

- Elimination diet

- Skin test

Blood Test

A blood test is pretty simple and straightforward. Your doctor will draw blood and send it to the lab to be tested. There, they will look for antibodies in your blood for any significant allergies. Blood tests are accurate and can even save you your life. When you know which foods to avoid, you are not risking severe allergic reactions and other complications.

Elimination Diet

This type of testing is perfect for less severe allergic reactions. It may happen that you are intolerant to some food and not actually allergic, and you can simply avoid eating it. For example, if you experience any symptoms after eating eggs, you can simply eliminate eggs from your diet and see if the symptoms come back. If they do, or you cannot pinpoint to which food you’re allergic to, it is better to take a blood test. However, this test can help you minimize symptoms if you precisely manage to identify the food you’re allergic to.

Skin Test

Last but not least, you can do a skin test. There are three different categories here - scratch test, intradermal, and patch test. They all work in the same way and their goal is to identify potential food allergies. Simply put, your doctor will put the allergen on your skin and create a small puncture, and wait for the results. If there is any itchiness, swelling, and redness, it means you are allergic to that food.

No type of allergy should be taken lightly, especially food. If you suspect you might be allergic to a specific food, it is important to get tested. Allergy tests are painless and simple, and could potentially save your life. A lot of food contains allergens and even though it’s in traces it could be fatal for some people. And we all tend to dine out, and it is better to know what you’re allergic to because then you know how to keep yourself safe and healthy.