What are the Tests for Food Allergy?
Ig-E mediated food allergy can be tested using skin prick test, blood test, and food challenge. In skin prick test, small substance from food is placed in a small area of the skin pricked by a needle. The appearance of wheal or bump in the skin is considered positive. In blood testing, IgE antibodies for a specific food allergen or protein are being detected and measured. RadioAllergoSorbent (RAST) test is an example of blood test for food allergy. The good thing about RAST test is its ability to screen hundreds of allergens from just a single sample. Food challenge to test food allergy involves packaging the suspected food allergen into a capsule, giving it to the patient, and monitor the patient for symptoms of allergic reaction. Due to the risk of anaphylactic shock, the procedure is performed in the hospital environment and in the presence of physician.
