Crystal Lake, IL area allergist offers food allergy testing for children and adults

Food is an integral part of our lives. Our body uses food as fuel to give us the energy we need to get through our days. However, some patients deal with food allergies, which can make certain foods problematic or even life-threatening to consume. When this occurs, patients need to get tested for food allergies. Food allergy testing is available with our board-certified allergists and immunologists, Dr. Noga Askenazi, and staff at Advanced Allergy and Asthma Associates and The Food Allergy Center of Illinois. Patients in the communities of Crystal Lake, IL, and Elgin, IL can visit one of our two practice locations for testing and proper diagnosis of food triggers.

What is a food allergy?

A food allergy can cause chronic abdominal issues or appear as an acute reaction. This occurs when the body produces an allergic antibody that is specific to a particular food protein that should usually be tolerated by the human body. The immune system mistakenly recognizes this protein as an allergen and then issues may arise. Symptoms may be mild to severe. Reactions may include anything from diarrhea and bloating to hives, shortness of breath, swelling of the lips and throat, or severe abdominal pain. People with severe reactions may experience life-threatening symptoms that need to be addressed immediately with injectable epinephrine and antihistamines. This is because anaphylaxis can be fatal. If these happen and medications are not readily available, 911 should be called immediately.

Getting a food allergy diagnosis

To accurately determine the triggers of allergic reactions, including mild to severe responses, patients will need to visit a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. A diagnosis of food-related allergies requires our team of professionals to perform a careful and thorough evaluation of a patient, along with a detailed history of reactions. In most cases, we can efficiently perform skin testing in our office to determine if a patient has a specific food allergy. In other cases, oral ingestion of the food in question or blood testing may be used if this first test has not been definitive in providing answers.

What can be done for food allergies?

Though oral allergy syndrome may be helped in some cases, the only way to address severe food allergies is to avoid the foods you are allergic to. We can provide helpful information to elicit which foods are triggers and to ensure you do not expose yourself to these allergens. We can review how to shop and read food labels to avoid triggers. This education in our office by our experienced team can mean the difference between life or death, especially for those with severe allergies to specific foods and ingredients.

Get tested for food allergies today!

Our Crystal Lake and Elgin, IL area practices are here to help patients with allergies, asthma, and other conditions that impact their day-to-day lives. At Advanced Allergy and Asthma Associates and The Food Allergy Center of Illinois, we can provide the proper diagnosis of food allergies you need to follow a nutritious diet that helps you feel your best. If you suspect that you or a member of your family has food allergies, this diagnosis can be lifesaving! Call us at (847) 888-8802 to schedule an appointment at either one of our office locations in the areas of Crystal Lake and Elgin.

Share this Article