Food Allergy Testing - What You Need to Know

Kids With Food Allergies (KFA), a division of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America hosted a free educational webinar, "Diagnostic Testing for Food Allergies: What You Need to Know" on April 16, 2014. It featured pediatric allergist David Stukus, MD.

Dr. Stukus reviewed:

• Definitions of allergy, intolerance, sensitization, antibodies
• What is an IgE mediated food allergy
• Symptoms of food allergy
• The different types of food allergy tests and what they mean
• Skin testing limitations
• Blood specific IgE testing (ranges, classes, commercial panels)
• False positives and predictive values
• Do-it-yourself allergy kits and other controversial tests
• Oral food challenges
• Component IgE testing
• Patch testing for delayed reactions
• What about IgG?
• Eczema, eosinophilic esophagitis and other related allergic diseases

An attendee gave this review as the most valuable part of the webinar:

“I liked how you had a doctor that specialized in pediatric allergies because he did a great job of explaining terminology, tests and results, and misconceptions.”

RELATED RESOURCES

• Food Allergy Test: What Does It Mean?
  This article by Dr. David Stukus reviews terminology and explains food allergy tests. This is a great written resource to accompany this video.

• What is an Oral Food Challenge?
  Learn what oral food challenges are and how to prepare for them.
   
• Feeding Allergenic Foods to Babies and Pregnant or Nursing Moms
  Should Mom avoid highly allergenic foods while pregnant or breastfeeding? If and when should you try feeding these foods to the baby? These questions and more are discussed by Dr. Todd Green.
   
• Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergy in the United States 
  The NIH guidelines provide steps for parents and medical providers on how to diagnose, manage and treat food allergies and severe allergic reactions. 
   
• What Parents Need to Know About Food Allergies to Prevent Allergic Reactions
  Learn how to recognize symptoms and treat anaphylaxis.
   

Medical review April 2014.