Symptoms of Food Allergies

Food allergies occur when the body has an immune response to certain foods, such as peanuts, milk, and eggs. What are the symptoms of food allergies, and how can this condition be diagnosed?

Symptoms of Food Allergies

Symptoms of food allergies usually appear within seconds to minutes after eating the food, but can sometimes take up to two hours. In rare cases, symptoms may be delayed for several hours. For some individuals, symptoms are mild to moderate, while others may experience a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. Here are the details:

• Mild to Moderate Symptoms

Mild to moderate symptoms of food allergies may include:

1. Tingling or itching in the mouth.
2. Difficulty swallowing.
3. A raised, red, itchy rash (urticarial)).
4. Swelling of the lips, face, tongue, and sometimes the throat and other parts of the body.
5. Abdominal pain and diarrhea.
6. Nausea and vomiting.
7. Nasal congestion and difficulty breathing.
8. Symptoms similar to hay fever, such as sneezing and itchy eyes (allergic conjunctivitis).
9. Dizziness and lightheadedness.

• Severe Symptoms

Some individuals may experience a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. Symptoms usually appear suddenly and get worse very quickly. Initial symptoms might include those listed above, but they can rapidly worsen to include:

1. Increased difficulty breathing, wheezing, and persistent coughing.
2. A sudden and intense feeling of anxiety and fear.
3. Irregular heartbeat (typically tachycardia).
4. Sharp drop in blood pressure, leading to confusion and dizziness.
5. loss of consciousness.
6. Severe swelling of the tongue and throat.
7. Difficulty speaking.
8. Pale skin, especially in children.

Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Without prompt treatment, it can be fatal. It is essential to call emergency services immediately if any of the above symptoms appear.

How Is Food Allergy Diagnosed?

Food allergies typically cause the same symptoms each time the trigger food is eaten. Therefore, the doctor will initially ask questions such as:

1. What and how much of a certain trigger food you ate?
2. How long after eating did symptoms appear?
3. What symptoms did you experience and for how long?

If a food allergy is suspected, the doctor may conduct several tests to confirm the diagnosis, including:

• Skin Test: Small amounts of the suspected allergenic foods (solutions made from the foods) are placed on the skin of the arms or back, and tiny pricks are made with a needle. Reactions to allergens are measured after 15 minutes. Redness and itching at the site indicate an allergy.
• Blood Test: Measures the amount of allergy-related antibodies (IgE) in the blood. High levels of these antibodies suggest an allergy.
• Food Challenge Test: or feeding test Conducted in a clinical setting, where the patient is given increasing amounts of the suspected food. If no symptoms appear, the food can be included in the diet.
• Elimination Diet: The patient removes the suspected foods from their diet for two weeks, then reintroduces them one at a time while monitoring for symptoms.

Blazma offers a Food allergy test (Blood test) that helps identify food allergens and does not require any special preparation.