What methods are used to diagnose food allergies?
There's no perfect test used to confirm or rule out a food allergy. Your doctor will consider a number of factors before making a diagnosis.
Properly compiling a medical history, producing a nutrition diary is crucial - it will be good if you indicate exactly which product you are experiencing symptoms and when.
These factors include:
- Your symptoms. Give your doctor a detailed history of your symptoms — which foods, and how much, seem to cause problems.
- Your family history of allergies.
- A physical examination.
- A skin test.
- A blood test.
- Elimination diet. You may be asked to eliminate suspect foods for a week or two and then add the food items back into your diet one at a time. This process can help link symptoms to specific foods.
- Oral food challenge. During this test, done in the doctor's office, you'll be given small but increasing amounts of the food suspected of causing your symptoms.
Diagnosis methods are determined by the doctor based on the specific clinical case! If a history of severe allergic reaction is confirmed, the allergist will select the appropriate means of diagnosis.
The only way to avoid an allergic reaction is to avoid the foods that cause signs and symptoms. However, despite your best efforts, you may come into contact with a food that causes a reaction.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-allergy/diagnosis-treatment/drc-
20355101
