The Leading Center for Food Allergy Testing in Tampa, Florida

Preventive Health Management with Food Allergy Testing at ZenLife MD

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT TODAY

Take the first step to achieving optimal wellness with a food allergy test at ZenLife MD. Knowing your specific food allergies can help you better plan for your daily diet and ensure that you can enjoy your meals without worrying about getting an allergic reaction. 

Let our expert team and doctor help you better understand your health with a food allergy test. We’ll provide you with a comprehensive diagnosis and recommend the best treatment to manage your food allergies. We can also create a holistic nutrition plan so you know what to eat for your mind and body. 

Expert Food Allergy Testing at ZenLife MD Health and Wellness Center

Food allergies are normal and they can develop even in healthy adults who have thought that they have no sensitivities to any particular type of food. One study suggests that at least 48% of adults can have food allergies later on in their years. 

If you’ve been breaking out in a rash or getting mild facial swelling after eating a specific food, it may be time to get a food allergy test. At ZenLife MD, our experienced team can perform accurate medical tests and exams to identify what is triggering your food allergy symptoms. 

Upon learning your food allergies, we can work together to change and improve your diet to include healthy and whole foods that you are not particularly allergic to. We’ll also provide other nutrition and wellness advice to help you achieve a healthier state of being. 

Why You Should Choose ZenLife MD as Your Wellness Partner  

ZenLifeMD is your reliable provider for premier medical spa treatments and aesthetic procedures. We also provide primary care and wellness services to all clients who are seeking to manage their health needs and concerns. Here are some of the reasons why you can trust us as your provider for food sensitivity testing: 

  • Quality Care and World-Class Service - At ZenLife MD, we take a whole-body approach to ensure that you get the best possible care and treatment. Our team and doctor will go beyond expectations to attend to your needs and provide you with a comfortable medspa experience.
  • Professional Background and Experience - Our clinic is led by Dr. Sarah Kareem who is an experienced healthcare professional with training in internal medicine and aesthetic medicine. She supervises all consultations and procedures so you know that you are well taken care of in our center.
  • High Patient Satisfaction - With her knowledge in healthcare management, Dr. Kareem has helped many patients in their journey to achieving their best and healthier selves. She’s a trusted aesthetic and wellness partner of many clients in Tampa, Florida.  
Become A Happier, Healthier You With ZenLife MD Today

Give your whole body the full care and treatment it deserves. At ZenLife MD, our team has spent years helping countless patients achieve a healthier, happier, and more beautiful version, with a variety of beauty and wellness services designed to help individuals achieve their fullest wellness potential.

Our team believes in constructing customized treatment plans for all patients, to help them get the most out of their care with us. Let us help you start your journey to a better you; call us today for your consultation.

The Importance of Food Allergy Tests 

Some people can go their whole lives without being aware that they have a food allergy. Their symptoms are usually mild but they can get worse over time. To prevent serious allergic reactions, it’s essential that you know what food and ingredients should be avoided. 

A food allergy test is one of the most precise ways to rule out your potential triggers. Here are some of the main advantages of getting a food sensitivity test: 

Helps You Make Informed Decisions About Your Diet 

When you know your specific food allergens, you can better plan for your diet without hastily removing important sources of nutrients and vitamins from your meals. With an accurate food sensitivity diagnosis, our doctor can help you make the necessary changes to your diet while still ensuring that you are including food from the major food groups.

Reduces Your Risk of Getting a Severe Allergic Reaction 

Although most food sensitivity reactions are mild, some symptoms may persist and have serious consequences that may lead to anaphylaxis. Food allergies are one of the potential causes of an anaphylactic reaction. 

With a food allergy test, you can minimize your risk of a severe reaction and medical emergency. Our doctor will also suggest the best first aid remedies so you know how to handle your sudden flare-ups and keep them from getting worse. 

Eliminates Suspected Food Allergens 

A food allergy test is the first step to getting a comprehensive treatment plan to manage your reactions and symptoms. It also gives you a clearer picture of what foods and substances should be avoided so you can have improved health and overall quality of life. 

How We Diagnose Food Allergies  

A food allergy test begins by taking information about your medical history. You’ll be asked about the symptoms that you’ve experienced, how long you had them, how often the reactions occur, and what specific foods trigger it every time. In addition to these general questions, we may also recommend some allergy test procedures such as: 

Skin Testing 

There are three types of skin tests: scratch test, skin injection or intradermal test, and patch test. A patch or skin prick test involves puncturing the skin with a small needle containing the suspected food allergen. If you are allergic, a raised, bumpy, or itchy rash will develop on the skin surface.

In a skin injection test, a small amount of the food allergen extract is injected into the skin. The site will be observed for at least 15 minutes and wait for any kind of skin reaction to confirm your allergies. 

Lastly, the patch test uses adhesives that contain food allergens and substances. These patches are placed on your skin for a few days and removed when you return to the clinic. If you have irritated skin on the patch site, you may have a food allergy. 

Blood Testing

A blood test observes the presence of the IgE (immunoglobulin E) antibodies. These are important antibodies released by the immune system whenever it detects a food allergen. In this medical exam, a small amount of blood will be extracted and it will be exposed to various allergens. The blood test results will show how your immune system responds to the different food triggers.  

Oral Food Challenge

This food allergy test is also known as a controlled food challenge. During this test, you will be given small but gradually increasing amounts of suspected food allergens. You will be monitored closely to see if you will have a reaction. 

Elimination Diet 

This test will require you to follow a specific diet and keep a food diary. The diary will contain the list of the foods you’ve eaten and if there are any, your symptoms for the day. A food elimination diet is a long process but it is helpful in identifying and removing your triggers. 

Signs That You Need To Get A Food Allergy Test  

The symptoms of a food allergy can develop almost immediately within minutes after ingesting a particular food. Some people may have a delayed reaction and get their symptoms after several hours. You should have a food allergy test if you notice an increased occurrence of the following symptoms: 

  • Hives, rashes, or eczema 
  • Skin redness
  • Tingling or itching inside the mouth 
  • Diarrhea
  • Bloating
  • Nausea and vomiting 
  • Abdominal pain
  • Digestive discomfort  
  • Facial swelling 
  • Stuffy nose and difficulty breathing
Become A Happier, Healthier You With ZenLife MD Today

Give your whole body the full care and treatment it deserves. At ZenLife MD, our team has spent years helping countless patients achieve a healthier, happier, and more beautiful version, with a variety of beauty and wellness services designed to help individuals achieve their fullest wellness potential.

Our team believes in constructing customized treatment plans for all patients, to help them get the most out of their care with us. Let us help you start your journey to a better you; call us today for your consultation.

CONTACT

Watch What You Eat: Common Foods That May Cause An Allergic Reaction 

A true food allergy can be categorized into two main types: non-IgE mediated and IgE mediated food allergies. The non-IgE mediated food allergic reaction happens when the immune system doesn’t react to an allergen, and its symptoms usually cause changes in the skin or digestive system.  

Meanwhile, the IgE-mediated food allergy occurs when your immune system develops the antibodies to protect the body and manage the infection. Some of the most common foods that may cause moderate to severe allergic reactions are: 

  • Milk
  • Eggs
  • Soy 
  • Wheat 
  • Tree nuts such as pine nuts, walnuts, and cashew
  • Peanut
  • Any type of shellfish including shrimp, prawns, and lobster 
  • Fish 

Food Allergies vs. Food Intolerance 

Food allergies may share similar symptoms with food intolerance. The main difference between the two is that a food allergy involves the immune system, while food intolerance does not. 

Most food intolerances are caused by an absence of an enzyme that helps you digest food. Another possible reason is having irritable bowel syndrome which can cause constipation and diarrhea after eating a particular food protein. Lactose intolerance is one of the most common food intolerances that a person may have. 

FAQs about Food Allergy Testing  

Q: How accurate are food allergy tests? 

A: The majority of the food sensitivity tests are reliable and have a high accuracy rate. Skin prick tests are believed to be accurate more than 50% of the time and can help confirm a true food allergy. The other tests, such as the blood exam and oral food challenge, can be done to support the initial diagnosis.

Q: What increases your risk of having a food allergy?

A: You’re more likely to have a food allergy if you have a history of food sensitivities, asthma,  atopic dermatitis, or hives in your family.

Q: What treatments can be done to get rid of food allergies? 

A: There’s no known cure for food allergies, but there are therapies that can help build your resistance to a particular allergen. Oral immunotherapy is similar to the oral food challenge where a patient is given small amounts of food in a medically controlled setting. Avoiding specific foods is still the best way to prevent an allergic reaction. 

Manage Your Allergies and Improve Your Quality of Life with ZenLife MD 

Live your best and healthiest life while enjoying the foods you love without any worries with the help of our team and doctor at ZenLife MD. Getting a food allergy test is an essential step in health management and it will help prevent medical problems in the future. Request a food allergy consultation today by calling us or booking an appointment online.