Understanding Food Allergies: Symptoms, Types, Causes, and Testing Options

Did you know more than 15 million Americans live with food allergies? Of them, nearly six million are children under the age of 18. That’s one in every 13 children, or roughly two in every classroom.

Plus, did you know there is a convenient, covered-by-insurance blood test available that can help your doctor diagnose allergies for you?

Joining us on The Balancing Act to discuss all you need to know about allergies is immunologist Dr. Lakiea Wright and a California mother with her son, who is allergic to peanuts, milk, eggs, and sesame.

An allergy is when your immune system reacts to something that’s normally harmless to most people. If you come into contact with a substance that your immune system views as a threat, called an allergen, it responds by releasing a chemical called histamine and other substances. The release of these substances is what causes your allergic reaction.

Just about anything you encounter in your environment can trigger an allergic reaction in someone who is allergic. And while some people may outgrow their existing allergies, new ones could spring up at any time.

Sneezing, wheezing and itching – you may think what you’re experiencing is normal. Learn about all the ways your allergies can show up and the common symptoms and triggers associated with them. Recognizing the typical signs is a step towards getting some relief.

That’s where Thermo Fisher Scientific comes in, a leading company that develops, manufactures and distributes innovative blood test systems to aid in the diagnosis and disease management of allergies and more.

Stay tuned as we learn about the signs, symptoms, types, causes, and testing options relating to allergies.