Allergen, Individual-Food Cocoa Chocolate (Theobroma Cacao) Test

Cocoa, scientifically known as Theobroma cacao, food allergy to cocoa appears to be rare. Symptoms pertaining allergies to cocoa or cocoa products include headaches, hives and other skin rashes, rectal itching, heartburn, breathing difficulty and confusion. In extreme cases, exposure may cause anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening reaction characterized by shortness of breath, confusion, rapid drop in blood pressure, chest pain, dizziness, heart palpitations, nausea, diarrhea and loss of consciousness.

When consulted a doctor, he will conduct a physical examination, firstly. Ask for details about past reactions like- how soon the reaction occurred after eating, which food you ingested and in what quantities, etc. From there, the doctor may recommend a blood or skin test of your body's reactions to specific allergens. IgE allergy test is conducted to determine if you are allergic to Cocoa.

There are no special preparations required for this test. It is advisable that you should either wear a sleeve-less or a half-sleeve shirt or wearing a shirt with full- sleeves that can easily be rolled-up till elbow so that the doctor can take a sample without any hindrance.

The results may come in 8-12 days which then will help you to know that: Elevated levels of specific IgE antibodies may mean an allergy is present. However, as the level of IgE present does not correlate to the severity of an allergic reaction and someone who has outgrown an allergy may have a positive IgE for many years afterward. Even if an IgE test is negative, there is still a small chance that a person does have an allergy.

Collect 1-2 mL whole blood in red top tube. Centrifuge and transfer 0.5 mL serum into a transfer tube. An alcohol pad is used to clean the skin. A needle is then injected through the part of rinsed skin into to your vein or heel; specifically in the one that can be seen from the skin. The blood is dragged out from the needle by a nozzle, saved in a vessel and sealed with your name. (The skin around the puncture may be bruised making one feel uncomfortable. But, this lasts for a short time, ice packs can help to reduce irritation and pain.)