Food Allergy Testing
A food allergy happens when the immune system reacts to a specific protein in a food. This is different from food intolerance, which doesn’t involve the immune system and is usually milder. Common symptoms can affect the skin, the stomach, or breathing, and can range from mild to severe. Southwest Asthma & Allergy Associates offers food allergy testing for both children and adults, so symptoms are properly evaluated before any foods are eliminated.
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When Is Food Allergy Testing Recommended?
Testing should be done if you have symptoms that suggest an allergic reaction to food or when the trigger is unknown. Before testing, our allergists assess your medical background, signs and symptoms, and exposure factors. Consider scheduling an evaluation if you notice any of the following:
- Hives or skin rashes after eating
- Lip, face, or tongue swelling
- Vomiting or stomach symptoms
- Coughing, wheezing, or breathing difficulty
- Reactions shortly after eating certain foods
- Repeated reactions to the same food
- Suspected food allergy in children
- Reactions to multiple foods
- History of a severe allergic reaction
Common Food Allergens
Peanut and Tree Nut Allergies
- Peanuts
- Almonds
- Cashews
- Walnuts
- Other tree nuts as indicated by historyÂ
Milk and Egg Allergies
- Cow’s milk (casein and whey proteins)
- Egg white
- Egg yolk
Wheat and Soy Allergies
- Wheat
- Soy
- Hidden sources in processed foods
Fish and Shellfish Allergies
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Crustaceans
- Other seafood as indicated by historyÂ
Other Food Allergens
- Sesame
- Other foods based on a patient’s history and diet
Testing depends on the patient’s individual history and is not the same for all cases.
Any Questions About Food Allergy Testing?
Our Food Allergy Testing Process
We use appropriate testing methods to help identify possible food triggers and guide the next steps in your care:
Medical History Review
Our allergists take into account your medical problems in the past, including previous reactions to any foods you have eaten and how long symptoms took to appear.
Symptom and Food Exposure Assessment
Our allergy specialists will assess whether there is any link between your symptoms and the food you ate. They also closely review symptom timing, repeated reactions, and other possible causes behind your symptoms.
Skin Prick Testing
Skin prick testing involves placing small amounts of selected food allergens on the skin to observe for a reaction. This method can help point to specific foods a patient may react to. We always read results together with the patient’s symptoms and health history.
Blood Allergy Testing
Blood testing may be used when it fits a patient’s case, and it checks for specific allergy-related antibodies associated with certain foods. It can help when skin testing isn’t the right fit for a patient. As with other tests, our allergists read results alongside the patient’s full history.
Supervised Oral Food Challenge
We may suggest an oral food challenge when a diagnosis is still unclear after other testing. During this test, the patient eats small, measured amounts of the suspected food under direct medical supervision. We observe the patient closely for symptoms throughout the process.
Understanding Your Results
A positive test shows that a patient’s body reacts to a certain food. However a positive result doesn’t always mean that food causes symptoms in daily life. We evaluate results alongside a patient’s past reactions, not in isolation. We also explain which foods should be avoided.
What Happens After Food Allergy Testing?
Your care plan will depend on the test results, symptoms, and food allergies found after assessment.
Food Avoidance and Dietary Guidance
- Avoiding known food allergens
- Reading food labels closely
- Learning what ingredient names mean
- Discussing safe food swaps
- Avoiding unnecessary restrictions not supported by your test results
Emergency Planning
- Knowing the signs of a severe reaction
- Knowing when emergency care is needed
- Reviewing an emergency plan when needed
- Discussing epinephrine use when prescribed
Food Allergy Management
- Watching for future reactions
- Reviewing diet concerns
- Managing related allergy conditions
- Follow-up testing when needed
Oral Immunotherapy
Oral immunotherapy may be an option for patients looking to build tolerance to certain allergens over time. It isn’t a cure and isn’t right for every patient; we will decide if it fits your case.
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Why Patients Choose Our Allergy Testing Services
Southwest Asthma & Allergy Associates has offered allergy and asthma care for more than 40 years. Our approach is built on personal care, with services based on each patient’s own health needs. We offer food allergy care for kids and adults, with skin testing, blood testing, and food challenges when needed, across many Houston-area locations.
We work with major insurance providers, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare. We also accept Medicaid and CHIP. For patients without insurance, our SWAAA Round-Up plan offers a flexible payment option.
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Frequently Asked Questions
A food allergy occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly identifies a food protein as harmful and mounts an immune response. A food intolerance does not involve the immune system. The symptoms are usually digestive and generally less severe than an allergic reaction, though they can still significantly affect daily life.
Don’t change your diet based on a suspected allergy without consulting with our allergists. Depending on your symptoms and history, we may recommend continued monitoring, avoidance, or supervised testing before making any changes.
Yes, food allergies can show up at any age, even to foods a person has eaten safely before. New reactions in adults should still be checked, since the cause isn’t always clear. Food allergy testing can help find out what’s behind a new reaction.
Schedule Your Testing Appointment Today
If you or your child has symptoms that point to a food allergy, don’t wait to get them checked. Contact Southwest Asthma & Allergy Associates to schedule a food allergy testing appointment today.
