Food Allergies
Food allergies affect millions of people with reactions ranging from discomfort to the life-threatening events.
📋Food Allergy diagnosis and treatments
Food allergies affect millions of people with reactions ranging from discomfort to the life-threatening events. Let us address your food allergy symptoms, perform food allergy testing and offer solutions in our clinics in in Germantown Montgomery County, MD as well as in Manassas, Manassas Park in Northern Virginia.
Symptoms
The prevalence of food allergies has been rising steadily in past decades, and they represent a significant public health issue. Food allergies are caused by the development of hypersensitivity and reaction to a specific food protein which should be tolerated in health. These reactions can range from mild to severe.
The symptoms usually develop rapidly within minutes to an hour upon eating the offending food and typically include itching of the skin, hives, swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, abdominal pain or bloating, vomiting and sometimes respiratory symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath.
Key Points:
- •Itching of the skin, hives, swelling of lips, tongue, or throat
- •Abdominal pain or bloating, vomiting
- •Respiratory symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath
Diagnosis
The most severe reaction is anaphylaxis which may rapidly develop into a multisystem failure and lead to death. There is a number of food reactions called intolerances which do not have allergic nature and thus, public perception is that food allergies are more common than they truly are.
The proper diagnosis of food allergies and their differentiation from food intolerances (including celiac disease – gluten enteropathy) is a task our PAAC experts routinely perform starting with a meticulous review of patient's history complemented by multiple diagnostic tools including skin and blood testing.
Key Points:
- •Detailed medical history and reaction timeline
- •Skin prick testing for common food allergens
- •Blood tests (specific IgE) for food antibodies
Treatment
A biologic medication Xolair (Omalizumab) has been approved for the management of food allergies and is of course in our therapeutic repertoire.
Treatment plans are personalized based on the specific foods involved, severity of reactions, and individual factors including age and lifestyle.
Key Points:
- •Xolair (Omalizumab) biologic therapy
- •Strict avoidance of allergenic foods
- •Emergency action plan development
Prevention
Prevention strategies focus on strict avoidance, careful reading of food labels, communication with restaurants and food service providers, and emergency preparedness.
Prevention strategies are most effective when implemented consistently and involve everyone who prepares or serves food to the allergic individual.
Key Points:
- •Read all food labels carefully
- •Communicate allergies to restaurants and food service
- •Carry emergency medications at all times
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Get Relief?
Don't let food allergies control your life. Our expert team is here to help you find the right treatment plan.