Food Allergy Diagnosis and Treatment in Surat

What Is Food Allergy?

A food allergy happens when your immune system wrongly treats a food as harmful. It releases chemicals like histamine, which cause symptoms in the skin, stomach, nose or breathing. Reactions can be mild, or in some cases serious.

Food allergy or food intolerance? They’re not the same. A food intolerance, such as trouble digesting milk, mainly affects the stomach and doesn’t involve the immune system in the same way. A food allergy involves the immune system. Your doctor can help you tell the difference.

Food allergies are common in children, but adults can have them too. Milk allergy in children and gluten allergy are two examples we often get asked about. Food allergies can also show up on the skin; see skin allergy.

Common Symptoms

Symptoms usually appear within minutes to a few hours after eating. Tick the ones that sound like you or your child:

• Itchy rash, hives or red skin
• Swelling of the lips, face or eyes
• Itchy mouth or throat
• Stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhoea
• Sneezing, runny nose or cough after eating
• Eczema that gets worse after certain foods
• Wheezing or trouble breathing

Get emergency help right away if you have trouble breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or feel faint. Call 108 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Do not wait for a clinic appointment.

Common Triggers

Any food can cause an allergy, but common ones include:

• Milk: especially in young children
• Eggs
• Wheat and gluten
• Nuts and peanuts
• Shellfish and fish
• Food additives: some colours and preservatives in packaged food

How We Diagnose Food Allergy

Getting the diagnosis right is the first step to the right treatment.

1. Clinical assessment. Dr. Dungrani asks about your symptoms, health history, how often they happen, what seems to set them off and how severe they are. We go through what you ate, when symptoms started and how they showed up. A food diary can help a lot.
2. IgE blood test (if needed). A food allergy test in Surat is usually an IgE blood test for food allergy. It shows how your immune system reacts to specific foods and helps find your exact triggers.

Please don’t test a food allergy yourself by eating a food you think you react to. This can be dangerous. Let the doctor guide you.

A test is advised only when your symptoms are long-lasting or unclear. The doctor will explain what you need and why.

How We Treat Food Allergy

Your plan is made around your food triggers and your symptoms. It may include:

• Natural immunotherapy. Our signature non-steroidal treatment. It aims to gently re-train your immune system so it reacts less to your triggers over time, and to reduce your need for daily anti-allergy medicines. Read more about natural immunotherapy.
• Homeopathic medicines. Gentle care that looks at your overall health. Suited to children and older adults, and does not cause drowsiness. Read about our homeopathic allergy treatment.
• Diet and lifestyle guidance. Clear guidance on which foods to avoid, safe swaps, and reading food labels, so you or your child still eat well.
• Regular follow-up. We track your progress, adjust your plan and send WhatsApp reminders so you stay on track.

Results vary from person to person.

Tips that may help at home

• Keep a food diary: note what you eat and any symptoms, and bring it to your consultation
• Read food labels: check packaged foods for your trigger
• Tell others: let your child’s school, family and caregivers know about the allergy
• Ask when eating out: check what’s in a dish before you order
• Have an emergency plan: know the signs of a serious reaction, and call 108 if one happens

Home care can ease discomfort, but it does not replace a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

A Patient’s Story

Results vary from person to person.

Results vary from person to person.

Results vary from person to person.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Allergy