Food Allergy Testing

SFENTA provides patients across South Florida with food allergy testing to help determine which foods they may be allergic to. Food allergies can appear in many different forms. Some of the most common appearances of food allergies include rashes, stomach aches or pains, itching or swelling of the throat, and difficulty breathing (in more severe cases).

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While some patients are keenly aware of the foods they are allergic to, others may be unsure. Some allergy signs will appear instantly after consuming an item, while others may not appear until hours later, making it more challenging to find the item you are allergic to. Testing food allergies can help you stay away from foods that trigger your allergies.

Food Allergy Testing Methods

There are several methods for food allergies testing offered by SFENTA. Your food allergy testing method will be tailored to your specific needs by your provider. Some of the methods we offer include:

Skin Prick

The skin prick method is the most common form of allergy testing. Using this method, a small amount of the food being tested will be placed on your skin. Then the provider will use a needle to prick the skin, allowing the food to go beneath the skin’s surface. If you are allergic, there will be a reaction on the skin, including a raised bump.

Blood Testing

For those with sensitive skin, blood testing can be a good option. You will be asked to provide a blood sample which will then be sent to a laboratory and tested. Your blood will be tested for a wide range of foods and examined for allergy-related antibodies.

Elimination Diet

This testing method requires patients to eliminate particular foods from their diet at the direction of their provider. Slowly, new foods will be added back in to find the specific foods that are creating an allergic reaction.

What are the Signs of Food Allergies?

Food allergies occur when the body has an allergic reaction to specific foods. Food allergies primarily affect the skin, digestive system, and (in some more severe cases) the respiratory system.

Skin reactions are most often hives, itching, redness, or a tingling sensation. Reactions of the digestive system include abdominal pain and a swollen or itchy tongue. Those who have respiratory reactions can experience congestion, coughing, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath.

Benefits of Allergy Testing

Allergy testing provides patients with definite conclusions about the food they are allergic to. This helps prevent future reactions and ensures patients have the knowledge on which foods to stay away from. Allergy testing can help patients with any degree of allergic reaction.

About SFENTA

SFENTA has over 30 locations across South Florida to help patients find complete relief from their ENT symptoms. We’ve been serving patients for over 30 years, and we are proud to be members of the local community. Our goal is to provide each patient with:

Patient-Centered Care

Our providers know that care should always be customized to meet your unique needs and lifestyle, so we never take a cookie-cutter approach to treatment.

Continuity of Care

Our physicians believe in finding long-term care solutions that address each of the symptoms that are impacting your life.

A Network of Highly Trained Physicians

We’ve built a provider network staffed with over 50 physicians from all specialties of ENT care. This ensures you’re always seeing a provider who specializes in your symptoms or condition.

The Security of a Community Staple

With over 30 locations, you can ensure that our staff will always be available to you in your time of need.

Who is a Candidate for Food Allergy Testing?

Patients who are interested in food allergy testing due to a suspected allergy — or who are interested in finding out what foods they may be allergic to — are often candidates.

You could benefit from testing if you have recently noticed skin rashes, redness, or abdominal pain after eating.

What to Expect During Allergy Testing

The first step in allergy testing is a meeting with one of our providers. They will discuss any known allergies, symptoms you’ve experienced, and suspected allergies. This will help them determine which method of testing to use. All testing is performed in our offices, and the duration will vary depending on the test used. Results may take your provider some time to determine, after which they will discuss them with you.

Food Allergy Testing FAQs

Are hives a symptom of food allergies?

Hives can be a symptom of food allergies, but may also be indicative of other conditions.

Which form of testing is most common?

The skin prick test is the most common form of food allergy testing. Our providers can evaluate which form of testing will work best for you.