Food Panel 1 Allergy Test (Food Allergen Testing)

​Food panel 1 allergy test

This is a simple blood test that helps to diagnose allergy to certain food items. It is also called food sensitivity blood test. Food allergy is a medical condition in which body is allergic to certain foods. Whenever you eat those foods body develops various grades of immune response to them .This response can vary from mild reaction to severe life threatening anaphylactic shock.

Food allergy is usually present in children .This allergy may resolve as the child grows older but sometimes it can be present throughout the life. The various symptoms of food allergy can be categorised as follows:

• Symptoms related to skin-itching, tingling,  hives, skin rashes, swelling of lips and other parts of the body
• Symptoms related to digestive system-abdominal pain, loose motions, vomiting, metallic taste in mouth, swelling /itching on tongue 

• Symptoms related to respiratory system-coughing, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, chest tightness, nasal congestion.

• Anaphylactic shock-it is the most severe manifestation of food allergy and includes the following symptoms: fainting, dizziness, difficulty breathing, airway tightness, rapid swelling of lips tongue and throat. It can even be fatal if not treated promptly 

The foods which are included in food allergy blood test are egg white, milk, wheat, soybean, fish, chicken, rice, gluten, shrimp and peanut. The only treatment of food allergy is to avoid the foods that are responsible for food allergy.

Dairy allergy test is defined as testing for allergy to milk and milk products. It is also called milk allergen test.

Wheat allergen testing is used to find out allergy to wheat and wheat products 

Why is food panel 1allergy test prescribed?

Your health care provider may ask you to undergo this test for diagnosing food allergies in certain conditions such as:

1. If there is positive family history of food allergy

2. If you have other food allergy

3. Presence of Asthma

4. If you have other forms of allergy like eczemaor hay fever 

What are the components of food allergy testing?

This test includes the following components:

1. Food allergy skin test- in this test small amount of allergic food is put on skin of your forearm. Then a small prick is made on the skin at that site .If there is redness and itching at that site it means you have food allergy.

2. IgE blood test- This blood test includes measurement of level of Ige (immunoglobulin E) antibodies in blood .These antibodies are increased in those people who have allergy to a particular food item.

Procedure and prerequisites

The sample for Ige test is taken from blood by inserting small needle into vein of your arm. A small amount of blood is then collected in test tube or vial. You may feel some pain due to needle prick. No special preparations are required. You can resume your work immediately.