Have you experienced severe allergic or anaphylactic reactions to peanut, tree nuts, egg, cow’s milk and other foods? Or, sometimes, you are uncertain what foods, such as in dessert foods, ice cream shops, bakeries, or Asian restaurants? The severe anaphylactic reactions can have detrimental effects on quality of life and trigger anxiety. How about children sit at peanut-free table at schools, or being bullied? Does it affect family’s travel planning? Risks of anaphylaxis could have profound psychological impact on children and their family.
Do you know that the majority of food allergies, such as peanut or tree nuts, can be desensitized? This greatly reduce the risk of severe anaphylaxis in case of accidental exposure. This process reduces or eliminates fear and can be a life-changer.
At Asthma Allergy Centre, we are pleased to offer diagnostic testing and desensitization treatments for a food allergy. Learn more during a consultation with our qualified staff at one of our locations in Oregon in Beaverton, McMinnville, Newberg, or Tigard.
What Is a Food Allergy?
A food allergy is an allergic response to a specific food. These reactions may manifest themselves in different intensity or severity. The severe reactions include tight throat, trouble breathing, passing out; and the milder reactions include hives, lip swelling, itching of mouth or skin, upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Many people are impacted by food allergies, and common allergies include:
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Milk
- Peanuts
- Shellfish
- Tree nuts
How Is a Food Allergy Diagnosed?
After taking a detailed history, we perform allergy skin tests. Rather than using the “stamp-type” multi-test process, we use the most precise prick-through-the drop test that is used by European and major US food allergy research centers. Additional blood tests for allergic antibodies of foods allergens or allergen components may be carried out.
When in doubt, our team uses the gold standard food challenge to identify or exclude a food allergy. With oral challenge, an increasing doses of the suspect foods are given, and you are monitored for any reactions or symptoms. This often takes a few hours.
How Can I Eliminate the Risk and Fear of Accidental Exposure and Reaction?
The standard of treating severe food allergy reactions is avoiding these foods you are allergic to and carrying a epinephrine auto-injection kit at all time in case of accidental ingestion.
Another life-changer is oral immunotherapy (OIT). The process desensitize food allergies initially by giving allergic foods at very low levels and gradually increase the doses to a degree the the risk of a severe anaphylactic reaction is greatly reduced in the case of an accidental exposure. This reduces and alleviate the anxiety of a potential reaction and normalize an everyday lifestyle, like going to school or traveling.
Not every patients or parents want to do food allergy desensitization process, as there are options, such as traditional avoidance and carrying an EpiPen. We will jointedly make a decision to see what is best for your or your child.
Schedule Your Consultation!
Are you concerned you may have a food allergy or are unsure of how to manage an allergy? Contact us today at Asthma Allergy Centre and schedule your consultation! Our team proudly serves Oregon with locations in Beaverton, McMinnville, Newberg, and Tigard. We are committed to helping you live a healthy lifestyle with ease.
