A food allergy occurs when the body’s natural defenses overreact to the exposure to certain foods by treating it as an invader and sending out chemicals to defend the body against it. Food allergies are a pretty common issue, as around 3.2 million people in the United States have food allergies, including 5.6 million children that are under the age of 18. Because food allergies tend to develop early on in life, it is important that children get tested for allergies as soon as possible to avoid having unnecessary reactions. Luckily, Dr. Michael Aziz, our primary care physician Midtown NYC, can perform testing for food allergies so that the necessary precautions can be taken.
Common Food Allergies
Unfortunately many children suffer from allergic reactions to foods that their parents may not know they are allergic to. That is why getting your children tested as early as possible is essential when it comes to keeping them safe. There are so many foods that one can have an allergic reaction to, so knowing what your child may be allergic to can save you an unnecessary trip to the emergency room. Some of the most common foods that can cause allergic reactions are:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Peanuts
- Tree Nuts
- Soy
- Wheat
- Fish
- Shellfish
Symptoms
Symptoms of food allergies can range from mild to severe, meaning that a food substance can trigger mild symptoms on one occasion but severe at another time. Luckily, Dr. Michael Aziz, our primary care physician Midtown NYC, can perform food allergy testing so that the following unfortunate symptoms can be avoided:
- Shortness of breath.
- Wheezing.
- Rashes.
- Weakened pulse.
- Tongue swelling.
- Pale or blue-colored skin.
- Dizziness.
- Fainting.
- Coughing.
- Tight and hoarse throat.
In severe cases, anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that results in a dramatic drop in blood pressure and impaired breathing that affects the heart rate, can occur. This can prove to be fatal if not treated immediately by a medical professional.
Contact Our Primary Care Physician Midtown NYC
Without getting a food allergy test, it can be difficult to know how to pinpoint which foods cause an allergic reaction and how to keep the symptoms under control. That is exactly why Dr. Michael Aziz, our primary care physician Midtown NYC, performs testing for food allergies so that you can take the necessary precautions to avoid the foods that may be triggering your reactions. By examining your family’s medical history and conducting blood tests, skin tests, and diet elimination tests, Dr. Aziz will diagnose the allergy and devise a comprehensive treatment plan to help you manage the symptoms better. Be sure to contact Dr. Michael Aziz to learn more and schedule an today!