Definition of Food Allergy - Essay Example

It is estimated that one child in every 14 children has at least one form of food allergy. The most common forms of food that most children are allergic to include: milk, eggs, soya, and wheat. Many children, however, outgrow this form of allergy; by the time they go to school, they are not allergic to foods they were allergic to before. Skin-prick tests: This food allergy test provides results in about 20 minutes. This form of food allergy test involves placing a liquid containing a small amount of the food allergen on the skin of one’s arm or back.

The skin is then pricked, allowing the allergen to seep under the skin. The test is considered positive if a wheel (resembling a bump from a mosquito bite) develops where the allergen was placed. Blood tests: this form of testing for food allergy aims to measure the presence of IgE (immunoglobulin E) antibodies in specific foods. IgE is the antibody that triggers food allergy symptoms. Blood tests aim at detecting food-specific IgE. The blood tests take several days to yield results. Oral Food Challenge.

This form of food allergy test is considered highly accurate. The oral food challenge test consists of the allergist feeding the patient with the suspect food in measured doses to determine whether the patient will develop symptoms of food allergy. If the patient shows signs after the test, the test will be positive; if the patient shows no symptoms, the test will be considered harmful. Food Elimination Diet: in this form of food testing, the doctor asks the patient to abstain from suspect foods for two to four weeks temporarily.

If the suspected foods were the ones causing the allergy, the patient would exhibit no symptoms. However, if the eliminated suspect foods were not responsible for the allergy, the patient would still exhibit symptoms of food allergy. Treatments of Food