3 Reasons to Take a Food Allergy Test

If you’ve never had an obvious allergic reaction shortly after eating a particular food, you may think you don’t need a food allergy test. But this test can help you stay safe and identify symptoms that you may not even associate with food allergies.
The following are three reasons to take a food allergy test:

1. Many people have food allergies, with some developing in adulthood.

Food allergies are becoming increasingly common, with an estimated 15 million Americans being affected. We tend to think of children as having food allergies, but adults can also have them. In fact, you could suddenly develop an allergy to a food that you’ve eaten without incident your entire life.
Food allergies most common in adults are widespread, including:

• Peanuts
• Tree nuts (such as walnuts, almonds, and pecans)
• Milk
• Eggs
• Soy
• Wheat
• Fish
• Crustaceans (such as lobster, crab, and shrimp)
• Mollusks (such as oysters and clams)
• Fruits
• Vegetables

2. An undiagnosed food allergy can cause a wide variety of symptoms.

You probably know that food allergies can cause hives and difficulty breathing, but they can also cause some less-obvious symptoms, such as chronic headaches, bloating, and an inability to lose weight.
Allergies and sensitivities can also cause inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, muscle pain, acne, and eczema. These can be fueled by an increased immune response in your body.

3. You could have a serious reaction if you don’t know which foods to avoid.

If you have an unrecognized food allergy, you don’t know which foods could trigger a serious, even life-threatening reaction. Food allergies and sensitivities can sometimes be dangerous, resulting in symptoms such as swollen lips or eyelids, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.
These symptoms of food allergies result in about 200,000 emergency room visits a year. Knowing about any allergies or sensitivities can help ensure that you avoid your triggers and stay safe.
Contact North Scottsdale Laser & Skin Care Clinic to find out more or to make an appointment for an allergy test. We can help you find out if any foods may be harming your body.