Plymouth ENT to Add Food Testing to Allergy Program

Plymouth Ear, Nose and Throat is excited to announce that, in addition to diagnosing and treating seasonal and perennial allergies, we will be adding food testing to our allergy program! Our doctors and nurses are looking forward to expanding our allergy program and welcoming new patients that might be suffering from food allergies. Let’s chat a bit more about the specifics of food allergies, their symptoms and how we can help to diagnose and manage them.

Food Allergy Symptoms

Nearly fifteen million Americans have some kind of food allergy. Food allergies affect various areas and systems in the body including the skin, the cardiovascular system, the gastrointestinal tract and the respiratory tract. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can appear within minutes to several hours after ingesting the food to which you are allergic. Food allergy symptoms include:

·      Vomiting

·      Stomach cramps

·      Diarrhea

·      Hives

·      Wheezing

·      Persistent coughing

·      Trouble swallowing

·      Swelling of the tongue or lips

·      Weak pulse

·      Dizziness or fainting

·      Anaphylaxis

Diagnosing a Food Allergy

There are several ways to diagnosis a food allergy and Plymouth ENT will be offering the skin prick test. The skin prick test is attractive because it is quick and painless and can be done right in our office. To do a skin prick test, a solution containing the allergen is placed directly on the skin. The doctor will then prick that same area of skin in order to allow the solution to penetrate. Generally, an allergy is confirmed by a raised, red patch accompanied by itching.

Treatment and Management of Food Allergies

Depending on the severity of the allergy, the following treatments and management techniques might be considered:

-  Antihistamines

-  Oral or topical steroids

-  Epinephrine

-  Avoiding the allergen completely

-  Wearing emergency medial identification

-  Keeping your medication with you at all times

-  Seeing a doctor after a reaction

The Plymouth ENT Food Testing Program

The Plymouth ENT food testing program will be launching mid October 2016! We are offering skin prick testing for patients seventeen years old and up and will be testing for allergies to the following foods: lobster, clams, shrimp, scallops, carrots, milk, egg whites, soybeans, sesame, tomatoes, wheat, barley, rye, hazelnuts, peanuts, walnuts, apples, strawberries, bananas and watermelon.

To make your food testing appointment, call Plymouth Ear, Nose and Throat at 508-746-8977!