If a doctor suspects that one of their patients has Food Allergies in Evansville IN, there are several different diagnostic methods to confirm the allergies. It is dangerous for a patient to try to diagnose their own allergies. Some allergies may appear to be one thing but are actually something entirely different. Only a doctor is able to determine exactly which food or foods caused the allergic reaction.
When a doctor is trying to determine Food Allergies in Evansville IN, the first step is typically a comprehensive medical history. The doctor will discuss a patient’s entire medical history with them, including any past allergic reactions or incidents that may have been related to allergies. The tests that follow are those that will try to isolate the allergy. Two of the most common tests are the skin prick test and the blood test. These tests are basically done to isolate allergens by introducing small amounts of potential allergens. The reactions that the patient has will usually be enough to determine whether an allergy is present.
Another important tool in determining food allergies can be dietary changes. These changes may take several forms. One of the most common types of diets is the trial elimination plan. In this diet, the known or suspected food allergens will be introduced and then removed from the diet to measure the patient’s reaction. If the patient improves significantly in the absence of certain foods, there is little doubt that they are having some type of reaction to the food in question.
In many cases, the allergist will give the patient a list of specific foods or even a detailed diet plan to follow once the allergens are known. The more that a patient can eliminate a certain allergen from their diet, the better. For example, a patient who is allergic to corn and wheat will need to replace these things with similar foods that still taste good and are filling. Patients who are allergic to certain staple products will have a harder time acclimating to this type of eating plan. However a doctor like Dr. C. Steven Smith can help any patient to find the perfect plan for them.