Food Allergy Treatment

The key to allergy treatment is prevention; avoidance of foods that could cause allergic reactions to individuals.

At present time, there is no actual cure for food allergies; no specific antigen that could be used for vaccine-type immunity to allergic reactions. What can be treated in a general allergic reaction are its symptoms.

Anaphylactic reactions are typically treated with epinephrine. Other medications are used to treat other symptoms. Bronchodilators can relieve asthmatic symptoms and antihistamines take care of hives, sneezing and runny nose. However, taking these medications before ingestion of allergens is not effective. Thus, only preventive maintenance can effectively control food allergies.

Over the years, several so-called authorities have "discovered" alternative "cures" for allergies. Even psychological means have been introduced to the market but with no verifiable results. Water therapy with specific protocols has also been established, also with no apparent physiological proof that it can cure allergies.

Diagnosis and testing of an individual who has positive reactions to allergies are best determined through an allergist. A review of the patient’s history is done before the actual allergy testing procedure. Some allergy testing procedures are as follows:

Skin Prick Testing. The easiest and the most basic diagnosis, skin prick testing results are available almost instantly. A small, safe amount of the suspected allergen is applied to the skin (usually on top of the hand) and a bifurcated needle pricks the skin and lets the allergen seep in. The skin is watched for any reaction over time.
     Below: Skin prick testing, with some positive allergic results.

Blood Testing. Evaluates the IgE mediated food allergies to determine predictive values for certain foods, noting which food will elicit an allergic reaction. Establishment of clinical significance for the reaction is necessary to determine either a positive or a negative response.

Differential Diagnosis. To determine allergic reactions, immunologists created a form of differential diagnosis in sampling allergens. Similar-class-allergens (from foods in the same "family", such as grains) are applied and determined which could create more reaction. As with skin prick tests, only a small amount of allergen is administered to the patient.