Before you make any changes, seeing an allergy specialist is important so that you can see what you must avoid. When you see an allergy doctor, they can give the proper diagnosis so you will know what to expect and prevent it from happening if you eat a certain food.
Food allergies should not be taken lightly and sometimes they continue to adulthood. In addition, some people develop food allergies during their adulthood. If you are allergic, your immune system will react to the food if it is dangerous for you.
Here is more information before getting a good allergy test.
What You Can Expect
Many people are nervous about food allergy testing if they are unaware of what it is like to have it done. They worry that the test is scary and painful, but that is not the actual case and the reality is that it is actually more comfortable than you think. It is a lot faster than what people expect because you only need 1 minute to complete the actual test.
During the test, they will press an applicator against your back that has multiple points exposing your skin to different antigens. However, it is not an indication that you will be done in 5 minutes. You have to wait for your test results and discuss what food you are allergic to.
Aside from that, the testing application consumes very little time, but the staff wants you to be in the office so they can watch out for any reactions.
The Difference Between Food Allergy and Food Sensitivity
This is something that an allergy specialist must discuss with you because there is confusion between them. The symptoms overlap, but the symptoms dramatically vary. Food sensitivity indicates that your body has a hard time digesting certain food. In general, symptoms are limited to problems with digestion, and that includes abdominal pain, gas, nausea, and diarrhea.
The common causes include enzymes in dairy, lactose, monosodium glutamate (MSG), flavor enhancer/s, FODMAPs, and gluten which can cause food sensitivity to people.
An immune system reaction to a food allergy that impacts various organs can cause dangerous symptoms.
How You Can Prepare for a Food Allergy Test
What you must do before going to an allergy specialist doctor for your test is to relax before that. It is a very simple process and after you are done, you can rest properly knowing that you are on your way to removing any dangerous and annoying symptoms linked to certain foods you eat.
You can have your nurse practitioner or gastroenterologist write a numbing cream prescription for you.
When you apply the cream on your back before the test helps reduce the itch you feel from the antigens you were exposed to. The cream also reduces the prick you feel from the applicator points, but the majority of people do not feel pain.
Sings that You Might Require a Food Allergy Test
- Tingling in your mouth or throat after eating
- Itchy skin or hives
- Swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue after eating
- Trouble breathing, wheezing, or nasal congestion
- Digestive problems or abdominal pain
- Fainting, lightheadedness, or dizziness after eating
- Persistent eczema
If you have severe food allergy reactions, you need emergency care as soon as possible. You should schedule a test at an allergy clinic Manassas VA right away to prevent it next time.