1. Food Allergies on the Rise
A 2006 survey, by the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, has shown that food allergies are on the rise in the United States and around the world. Common food allergens are nuts, wheat and milk, however, the list of possible allergens is as varied as there are types of foods. Allergic reactions vary from mild symptoms, such as stomach cramps or rashes, to very severe anaphylactic shock. Detecting the specific food that produces allergic reactions may be difficult, but is very important.
2. Eliminate Food Allergens
The elimination diet, conducted under the care of a physician, eliminates suspected allergens from your diet. Keep a journal to track everything you eat and note in your journal if you have any allergic reactions. If you are symptom-free on the elimination diet, you may have found the food you are allergic to. After a period of time, your doctor may instruct you to reintroduce that food into your diet. If the symptoms reappear, you have found the food causing the allergic reaction.
3. Antibodies Tell the Tale
Many doctors recommend a skin test to determine food allergies. This is a very easy process, although it is slightly irritating. Your doctor injects a small amount of several different allergens into the skin, along with a control test. A raised, red or itchy area indicates a positive allergic reaction to an allergen. Your doctor can then determine which allergen caused your reaction, and help you eliminate this allergen from your diet.
4. Check for Antibodies
If you choose to have a blood allergy test, your doctor draws a sample of blood and sends it to a lab, where they test for IgE or IgG antibodies in the blood. When exposed to a substance it's allergic to for the first time, your body forms these antibodies. Testing to see if they are present in the blood is an accurate way to determine food and other allergies.
5. Doctors Know Best
Food allergies produce different reactions. Common reactions, such as itching or swelling, are easy to detect, but others may be more difficult. Speak with your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms, such as fever or diarrhea, and inform him if you take any medications or supplements. Working with your doctor is the safest and most effective way to determine which food is causing your allergic reaction.
