How to Determine if You're Dealing with a Food Allergy

Your immune system is a powerful defense mechanism, protecting your body from harmful invaders. In some cases, however, it can overreact to otherwise harmless substances — like certain foods — and trigger an allergic response.

At Internal Medicine Partners, Alejandro Blanco, MD and Ralph Rodriguez, MD offer personalized, comprehensive care, including expert allergy testing and management. Our team is committed to helping you understand your allergies and developing custom treatment plans to improve your quality of life.

Whether you’re experiencing recurring digestive issues, skin rashes, or more severe reactions, we’re here to uncover the truth behind your symptoms. Read on and learn how to determine if you’re dealing with a food allergy, or something else.

Food allergy 

A food allergy is an immune system response to certain proteins found in some foods. Approximately 4% of adults and up to 6% of kids in the United States have food allergies. 

These eight types of food are the most common culprits, accounting for around 90% of food allergies:

• Peanuts
• Tree nuts, like almonds, walnuts, or cashews
• Milk
• Eggs
• Fish
• Shellfish
• Wheat
• Soy

When you come into contact with an allergen, your immune system mistakenly identifies it as a threat and releases antibodies to fight it. Symptoms typically occur within two hours of eating and may include:

• Itching, hives, rash, or other skin reactions
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
• Swelling in your lips, tongue, or eye area
• Coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing

If you experience serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, throat swelling, or chest tightness, seek emergency medical attention. These could be signs of a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Food intolerance

Digestive issues or enzyme deficiencies can cause a food intolerance, which doesn’t involve the immune system and usually results in less severe symptoms, like headaches, bloating, gas, or diarrhea.

If you have a food intolerance, you may be able to consume small quantities of problem foods without adverse effects. Food allergies, however, can spark dangerous reactions from even microscopic amounts of the allergen, or simply through touch or inhalation.

How we diagnose food allergies

If you suspect that you may have a food allergy, consult with our team for testing and a proper diagnosis. We can identify potential food allergens and develop a safe and effective management plan.

To help us pinpoint the cause of your symptoms, it can be useful to keep a detailed food diary. This involves recording everything you eat and drink and noting any symptoms you experience afterward. By tracking your diet and your body’s reactions, you may notice some patterns and triggers.

At Internal Medicine Partners, we offer skin prick testing to identify specific allergens. During the test, we apply tiny amounts of suspected allergens into the top layers of your skin using a small needle. While you may feel a poke or scratch, it’s not a painful procedure.

Your tailored care plan may include antihistamines, nasal or oral corticosteroids, and most importantly, avoiding trigger foods. 

To find out if you have a food allergy, call or click online to make an appointment with the team at Internal Medicine Partners in Naples, Florida.