Food Allergy Symptoms
The most common food allergens are eggs, milk, peanuts, sesame, wheat, fish, and tree nuts, which when ingested may cause the following symptoms:
- itchy rash
- hives
- wheezing
- shortness of breath
- swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat
- nausea
- abdominal cramps
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- anaphylaxis
Food Allergy Testing
A true food allergy, or food hypersensitivity, causes an acute immune response in the body after the food is consumed. This is different from a non-allergic food reaction, such as occurs with lactose intolerance or food poisoning. Testing by a specialist can provide an accurate diagnosis so proper treatment for a food allergy can begin.
Skin Tests
- Inexpensive
- A small amount of food extract is placed on your back or arm. If a raised bump develops within 15 minutes, you may have a food allergy.
Blood Tests
- Ouchy for the little ones
- Blood testing to foods can be done at your local lab.
False positive results can occur with blood and skin testing so both are often done when a patient is being evaluated for a potential food allergy.
Oral Food Challenge
If testing is unclear as to whether you have a food allergy, we may perform a food challenge. Food challenges are done by consuming increasing amounts of the food over a 3-4 hour period under close observation here in our office. If you experience a reaction the challenge is stopped and you are treated with medications. Epinephrine may be administrered in some cases.
Food Allergy Prevention and Treatment
Our expert physicians provide state of the art testing and cutting-edge treatment for patients with food allergies, so you can enjoy peace of mind with every meal.
Are food allergies preventing you from enjoying everyday life? Unless properly treated, food allergies can require a modified diet for your entire family. They also cause fear and anxiety over a loved one coming into contact with a food allergen. Until recently, the only solutions for someone with a food allergy were allergen avoidance and carrying an epinephrine device at all times.
Innovative Food Allergy Treatment
Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) is a gradual process of desensitizing patients to food allergens over a period of 4 to 6 months. OIT has been used successfully for the following food allergens: peanuts, tree nuts (cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts), eggs, milk, wheat, and sesame.
Our Expert Physicians Are Leaders in the Treatment of Food Allergy
Windom Allergy opened the Food Allergy Center of Florida in 2012 as the first Oral Immunotherapy clinic in the state. With food allergies on the rise, and disproportionately affecting children yet impacting the entire family, our goal is to prevent food allergy at the earliest stages of life. The treatments we offer can safely and effectively restore normal eating habits for our patients, bringing hope to people with severe food allergy. No longer will every meal bring the anxiety of a potential anaphylactic reaction.
