Allergies and allergy testing
If you suffer with conditions such as eczema or other allergies (ie to dust mites, pollen etc) you may be more likely to develop a food allergy.
Dust mites, mould, pollen, pet dander, cigarette smoke, dust and food are all possible eczema triggers.
If you suspect you have an allergy, then you should consult your doctor.
If you have an allergy it means your immune system has reacted to an allergen. The immune system mistakes the allergen as harmful and produces antibodies. This is called sensitisation. However, the next time you eat the same food the antibodies are ready to react causing your body to release chemicals which causes a range of symptoms known as an allergic reaction.
A food allergy is when the body’s immune system mistakes a particular food, such as nuts as harmful. Food allergies are mostly mild however they sometimes are serious and can be fatal. A food allergy is not an intolerance: food intolerances can make you feel unwell but they are not as harmful as a food allergy.
Common foods which cause allergies are:
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There is a possibility that if you are allergic to one food you may experience a reaction to another food ie if you are allergic to peanuts you may also be allergic to other nuts. If you are allergic to a non food item you may find that your allergic reaction crosses over and you experience an allergic reaction with some foods. This is called cross-reactivity.
Symptoms
- itchy or swollen lips, mouth, tongue and throat
- skin reactions (eg swelling and itching, a rash around your mouth, eczema and flushing)
- wheezing or shortness of breath
- diarrhoea, feeling sick, vomiting and bloating
- coughing
- a runny nose
- sore, red and itchy eyes
These symptoms may not necessarily be caused by food - they may be a reaction to pollen, pet dander, mould etc. If you experience an allergic reaction you should seek advice from your GP.
It is possible that if you experience a severe reaction you will go into anaphylaxis or experience an anaphylactic shock:
Anaphylaxis is a rare but potentially fatal allergic reaction. Symptoms can include dizziness, a rapid pulse, a drop in blood pressure and swelling of the airways and throat making it difficult to breathe.
Treatment of allergies
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist allergy clinic for tests. These tests may include the following:
- Skin prick tests
- Patch testing
- Elimination diets
- Blood tests
Skin prick test: usually the first test to be done when looking for an allergen. It is painless, safe and quick. The skin is pricked with a tiny amount of the suspected allergen to see if there is a reaction. If there is, the skin around the prick will very quickly become itchy, and a red circle will appear.
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Patch test: this test is used to see if a skin reaction, for example eczema, is caused by contact with a specific chemical or substance. A small amount of the suspect substance or chemical, such as nickel, is added to special metal discs, which are taped to your skin for 48 hours.
Elimination diets: this is a test to see which foods your body reacts to. It may mean excluding certain foods for a period of time. By carrying out this test itmeans you are soon able to determine which foods to avoid.
Blood tests: this is a specific IgE test (formally known as the RAST test). It measures the amount of IgE antibodies in your blood that have been produced by your immune system in response to a suspected allergen.
Knowing what you are allergic to is key to managing your condition.
Informaton written by the talkhealth medical panel
Last Reviewed: 27 January 2011
Next Review Date: 29 September 2013
