Allergy Panel-Food (SEA Food) Test

Seafood allergy is most common where seafood is an important part of the diet. The allergy occurs as a bodily response to a particular type of food, resulting in various symptoms like swelling, vomiting, diarrhoea, trouble breathing, low blood pressure, swelling, itching of tongue etc. It’s not rare but having allergy of this kind can result to abnormal body functions. Skin test and Blood test are performed to know the exact nature of allergy and how they should be cured. Type of allergy may differ from person to person but the tests remain the same. It reckons your intolerance to certain types of food.

For Skin Test- The skin surface is pricked with a needle.It is not painful as the it barely penetrates the surface and you won’t bleed or feel more than a mild discomfort. For Blood Test- Wear loose clothes so that it’ll be easy to roll up your sleeves while extracting blood samples. It doesn’t usually require any preparation, but in any case, the doctor will inform you prior to the test if you need to be on fast. Always follow instruction given at the lab.

As mentioned above, skin and blood tests can help detect the allergic reactions to different types seafood.

Skin Test: The red bump that shows as a reaction to allergy, can be used to know your body reactions and prevent eating certain foods

Blood Test: This test can measure your immune system's response to seafood proteins by measuring the amount of certain antibodies in your bloodstream, known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. It helps in defining the allergens that cause sensitization of immune system.

For Skin Test: It can be done at doctor’s clinic, infirmaries etc : A needle is used to prick the upper skin surface The allergen extract is then poured over the section and left for 15 minutes If allergic, it shows red itchy bump like that of a mosquito bite. Nurse takes the measurements of the bump