Food Allergy Testing & Food Intolerance Testing Dublin & Meath

Marion Finucane is highly trained and experienced in the holistic methods of testing and diagnosis of food intolerances.  Food Intolerance and Food Allergy testing Dublin & Meath is done at Marion’s clinic in Drumree, Co. Meath – easy and fast access from Dublin and Meath alike.

Marion utilises a holistic, non-invasive (non blood-test) approach to the testing and balancing of allergies.

It is important to differentiate between food intolerance and food allergy as the former is often mistaken for the latter due to an overlap of symptoms. Unlike a food allergy, a food intolerance has nothing to do with an overreacting immune system. Food intolerance is often caused by the absence of chemicals or enzymes which aid digestion e.g. hereditary fructose intolerance. Or it may be a problem with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients e.g. fructose malabsorption. It can also be a reaction to natural chemicals in food, such as salicylate, which is termed salicylate sensitivity.

The symptoms of food intolerance are many. The skin, the respiratory tract and the GI tract can all be affected, often in combination. Diagnosing food intolerance might be difficult but treatment for most cases is simple: avoid certain foods or eat them less often. Some people find that if they start eating the food again in moderation, it has no effect. This is called developing tolerance.

Food Allergy Testing for Children and Babies

Marion treats babies, toddlers, children and teenagers alike. Marion’s food allergy & intolerance testing for children and babies is gentle, non-invasive and effective.

Food Intolerance Testing

Food intolerance can be more difficult to diagnose than food allergy.   Skin tests and standard immunological tests are fruitless. However, as for most people the condition is only a minor complaint that doesn’t significantly affect a person’s life style, there is no need for treatment except to avoid the allergens. Clinical investigations are undertaken for more serious cases. Medical history is used in conjunction with cutaneous and serological tests to eliminate other causes.

Tests available these days include cytotoxic testing, MRT testing, ELISA testing and Microarray ELISA testing. Many experts consider Microarray testing to be the most effective. It involves the analysis of Antigens to differentiate between temporary and permanent intolerances. It uses the latest technology which delivers very precise and readable results. Only a few drops of blood are required and there is no need for fasting. In fact, the only con is that it takes a week for the results to come through.

Food Allergy Testing

A food allergy, like other allergies, is the result of a hypersensitive immune system that is triggered when certain foods are ingested. The most common foods involved include milk, peanuts, eggs and fruit. The people most at risk are those who have a family history of allergies, those with a vitamin D deficiency and those who are obese.

Common Food Intolerance & Allergies

One of the most common food allergies is peanut allergy. This can be quite serious but many children grow out of the condition. Other nuts such as tree nuts, hazelnuts, pistachios and coconuts also trigger allergies. The allergic reaction can be to just one type of nut or more than one.

Milk is another common allergen, be it from cows, sheep or goats. Sufferers are often sensitive to cheese and other dairy products as well. A milk allergy can be very serious as it can lead to a life-threatening condition known as anaphylaxis. Symptoms include hives, vomiting and wheezing. As with many other food allergies, the treatment is to avoid the offending product or food type.

Gluten is the cause of many disorders including celiac disease and wheat allergy. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is the cause of both intestinal and extra intestinal symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome like symptoms, headaches and fatigue. More serious symptoms such as neurological disease and mental issues can also occur.

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is the most common of the gluten related disorders. Diagnosis is made by elimination of other disorders, namely celiac disease and wheat allergy. Egg allergy is mostly found in children and is the second most common food allergy in children in the United States.

Prevention of egg allergy is best achieved by the introduction of eggs into the diet of babies. Most children grow out of the allergy by the age of five. An egg allergy can have serious consequences including urticaria and anaphylaxis. As there is no known cure for egg allergy, people with these symptoms are advised by doctors to carry with them a EpiPen at all times, in case of an emergency. An EpiPen is a device for injecting epinephrine or adrenaline into the system.

Diagnosis:

Symptoms vary greatly and the response takes a long time – sometimes as much as 48 hours after the allergen has been ingested. The food reactions can be broken down into three categories: Metabolic, Pharmacologic and Gastro-intestinal. Metabolic reactions are caused by acquired or inborn metabolism problems involving nutrients e.g. diabetes, mellitus, lactose deficiency, phenylketonuria and favism. Pharmacological reactions are caused by low molecular weight chemicals which occur as natural compounds, such as salicylates and amines, or as food additives such as preservatives, colourings, emulsifiers and taste enhancers. These chemicals can cause bio-chemical side effects in affected individuals. Gastro-intestinal reactions are often due to malabsorption or other GI tract issues.