Our expert physicians specialize in the treatment of allergy, food allergy, asthma, and sinus problems, as well as other conditions, such as hay fever, hives, eczema, contact dermatitis, insect allergies, drug reactions, anaphylaxis, and immune deficiency conditions.
A true food allergy or food hypersensitivity is an adverse reaction to a food that involves the immune system. Although many people believe they have a food allergy, true food allergies are less common, affecting 3-8% of children and less than 2% of adults in the general population.
Eggs, milk, peanuts, sesame, wheat, soy, fish, and tree nuts are the most common foods people are allergic to, accounting for almost 95% of reactions. Typically, symptoms of food allergies will occur within one hour of ingestion.
Common Symptoms of Food Allergies:
- itchy rash
- hives
- wheezing
- shortness of breath
- swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat
- nausea
- abdominal cramps
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- anaphylaxis
After completing a thorough medical evaluation, your physician will decide if there is reasonable suspicion of a food allergy, wherein you will be tested to confirm a diagnosis. Testing begins with skin tests and can lead to oral food challenges, the gold standard in diagnosing food allergies.
Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) is an innovative food allergy treatment that works by desensitizing patients to many types of foods. The entire OIT process can be completed in 4 to 6 months. To learn more about food allergies, check out the Food Allergy Center section of our website.
If you feel you or a family member is suffering from a food allergy, call 941-927-4888 to schedule an appointment today.
