Food Allergy

testing for food allergies

Food Allergy Test

If you are concerned your child has a food allergy, please make an appointment and Dr. David will help you investigate the problem.

Food allergy is on the increase, with milk and egg intolerances being amongst most common. It is crucial to undergo the proper food allergy testing to ensure the problem foods can be avoided, whilst foods with no negative effects are not unnecessarily dropped which can lead to malnutrition. History of reaction also extremely important. A child that is 'IgE-allergic' to a specific food may show the following symptoms:

An adverse reaction every time the food is consumed, usually within one hour
Swelling (and itching) of face/lips
Vomiting
Itchy rashes (hives) spreading across the body
Wheezing or difficulty breathing

Dr. David will do a full history analysis and carry out appropriate food allergy tests for (only) the foods suspected to be causing the reaction. "Panel" testing is avoiding as it is deemed inconclusive and may lead to anxiety and unnecessary food avoidance.

Dr. David works closely with a dietician in Dubai, Aisling Oslizlok, who formerly worked at the world-famous Great Ormond Street Hospital, in London.

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managing food allergy

Don’t Take the Risk: Understanding and Managing Your Child’s Food Allergies in Dubai

Food allergies can be a source of anxiety for many parents, especially when the cause of the reaction is unclear. With the wide variety of foods available, identifying the specific trigger can be challenging. This guide, following on from our discussion on asthma and food allergies, delves into the essentials of recognising, diagnosing, and managing food allergies in children.

Immediate Food Allergies

Food allergies can be a source of anxiety for many parents, especially when the cause of the reaction is unclear. With the wide variety of foods available, identifying the specific trigger can be challenging. This guide, following on from our discussion on asthma and food allergies, delves into the essentials of recognising, diagnosing, and managing food allergies in children.

Hives and swelling

how to recognise

These may appear as a nettle-like rash, particularly around the mouth, eyes, or other areas of the body.

Gastrointestinal issues

how to recognise

Vomiting or diarrhoea can occur.

Respiratory symptoms

how to recognise

Sneezing, nasal congestion, or eye irritation may be present.

Anaphylaxis

how to recognise

This severe reaction can involve difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, swelling of the tongue, wheezing, or sudden changes in blood pressure, leading to dizziness or fainting.

Delayed Food Allergies

Unlike immediate allergies, delayed food allergies develop hours or even days after the allergen is consumed. They are not mediated by IgE but involve other immune system components.

Skin irritation

how to recognise

This may include itching, redness, or eczema flare-ups.

Digestive issues

how to recognise

Colic, loose stools, constipation, or reflux, particularly in infants.

Proctocolitis in infants

how to recognise

This condition, often triggered by cow's milk, causes bloody stools in the early weeks of life.

Abdominal pain

how to recognise

The discomfort can range from mild to severe and is typically due to inflammation in the digestive tract caused by the immune system's delayed response to the allergen.

guidance for food allergy

When Do Food Allergies Develop? Can They Appear Suddenly?

Children are not born with food allergies; these develop over time. Most food allergies become evident by the age of one, particularly in children with eczema. Interestingly, allergies can sometimes seem to develop suddenly. This often happens because the child was already allergic but hadn’t yet been exposed to the allergen through ingestion.

Exposure to allergens through the skin, especially in children with eczema, can lead to the development of food allergies. For example, a child might develop a peanut allergy after being exposed to peanut proteins in the environment, even before eating peanuts for the first time.