Food intolerance/allergy

Last updated: Wednesday, 01, December, 2010
ManifestationsAppropriate Tests

Specific exclusion diets and food challenges are the most reliable diagnostic tests; they should be undertaken only under specialist supervision.

Skin prick allergen testing and allergen specific immunoglobulin E may be helpful in identifying allergic reactions to foods.

Some tests which are claimed to diagnose food allergy, eg, Vega and cytotoxic food testing, have no scientific validity.

Urticaria

Angioedema

Anaphylaxis

Eczema

Diarrhoea, especially

  • Disaccharidase deficiencies

 

See under Diarrhoea - chronic.

Malabsorption, especially

FBC (eosinophilia); albumin; allergen specific immunoglobulin E may be helpful.

Small bowel biopsy, if indicated.