Food Allergy Testing

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Most food-related symptoms occur within two hours of ingestion; often  they start within minutes. In some very rare cases, the reaction may be  delayed by four to six hours or even longer. Delayed reactions are most  typically seen in children who develop eczema as a symptom of food  allergy and in people with a rare allergy to red meat caused by the bite  of a lone star tick. 

Another type of delayed food allergy reaction stems from food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), a severe gastrointestinal reaction that generally occurs two  to six hours after consuming milk, soy, certain grains and some other  solid foods. It mostly occurs in young infants who are being exposed to  these foods for the first time or who are being weaned. FPIES often  involves repetitive vomiting and can lead to dehydration. In some  instances, babies will develop bloody diarrhea. Because the symptoms  resemble those of a viral illness or bacterial infection, diagnosis of  FPIES may be delayed. FPIES is a medical emergency that should be  treated with IV rehydration.

Not everyone who experiences symptoms after eating certain foods has a  food allergy or needs to avoid that food entirely; for instance, some  people experience an itchy mouth and throat after eating a raw or  uncooked fruit or vegetable. This may indicate oral allergy syndrome - a  reaction to pollen, not to the food itself. The immune system  recognizes the pollen and similar proteins in the food and directs an  allergic response to it. The allergen is destroyed by heating the food,  which can then be consumed with no problem. 

More than 50 million Americans have an allergy of some kind. You  probably know one of those people or are one yourself. Food allergies  are estimated to affect 4% – 6% of children and 4% of adults, according  to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Food allergy symptoms are most common in babies and children, but  they can appear at any age. You can even develop an allergy to foods you  have eaten for years with no problems.

 Do you suspect you’re suffering  from a food allergy? . An in office food allergy panel can determine this.