Nut Allergy Testing and Diagnosis
When you think of an allergic reaction, you might typically picture a person with a pesky spring allergy with lots of runny noses and sneezing, wheezing coughs, and watery eyes. But, unlike an allergic reaction to spring pollen and snow mould, a nut allergy or peanut reaction can cause very serious health problems and emergency situations for the person who experiences this type of allergic reaction.
That’s why proper nut allergy testing and diagnosis are so important for someone experiencing any of the following symptoms after contact with products containing nuts:
- Anaphylaxis
- Hives
- Itchy throat
- Swelling of glands
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Difficulty breathing and/or swallowing
- Stomach upset
- Wheezing
- Increased heart rate
The signs and symptoms of a nut allergy can range from life-threatening and immediate anaphylaxis to a persistent stomach ache and gastrointestinal upset. However, symptoms of any food allergy may vary depending on the person and the frequency of use or exposure to the food or source they are allergic to.
What is a Nut Allergy?
A nut allergy occurs when nut proteins stimulate an immune response to rid the body of the allergen. Nut allergies are one of the most common types of food allergies – especially among children and young people – and can be brought on by ingesting or being exposed to any type of nut; including peanuts (not technically a nut, but rather a legume, however, is described as a nut allergy) almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts or other nut products or by-products.
Nut allergy symptoms can develop rapidly, usually within just a few seconds or several minutes after eating a nut (or nut-contaminated) food, and, depending on the severity of your peanut or nut allergy, allergic symptoms and conditions may require emergency medical attention or the use of an epi-pen.
Testing for a Nut Allergy
At our naturopathic clinic, there are a few ways to test for a peanut or nut allergy. Testing for a nut allergy can generally be diagnosed with a simple blood test. Our naturopathic doctors will begin your nut allergy assessment, by conducting an in-depth medical history that takes into consideration your current food intake and lifestyle habits. Blood tests – either by blood draw or a finger prick test, depending on the severity of conditions – will also be conducted as part of your assessment.
Peanut Allergy Testing at our Vancouver clinic – Blood Test:
A simple blood test (called a radioallergosorbent test) for a nut allergy, can measure your body’s reaction to nut proteins by measuring the immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies present.
Peanut Allergy Testing at our Vancouver clinic – Skin Prick Test:
In this test for a nut allergy, your skin is lightly pricked and exposed to small amounts of the proteins found in nuts to test for a skin response or reaction. Most often, if you are in fact allergic to nuts, you will develop a hive or rashing at the test location of your skin.
Once the results of the nut allergy testing are in, your naturopathic doctor will review them with you and discuss the necessary next steps; such as dietary changes and other natural interventions to help reduce your reactions and ease your symptoms.
Electra Health Inc.’s professional team of naturopathic doctors offers patients thorough peanut and nut allergy tests. Once the results are returned, our naturopathic physicians will develop and implement a specifically targeted and customized health plan to combat nut reactions.
Food allergy testing therapy as we practice it is firmly established on clinical and scientific evidence. At The Electra Health’s Vancouver Naturopathy Clinic, we use only the most advanced testing processes available to keep you feeling your best.
If you feel that you are a candidate for nut allergy testing, and are in Vancouver, please contact one of our Naturopathic Doctors.
