Food Allergy Testing in Atlanta, GA

While a person can be allergic to any food, approximately 90% of food allergies are caused by only 8 substances. Soy, wheat, milk, tree nuts, eggs, fish, shellfish, and peanuts are the most common foods to cause allergies in both adults and children. Food allergies, as with allergies to other substances, can range from mild to severe.

Some patients with food allergies may experience a stomach ache or stuffy nose, while others will experience vomiting or difficulty breathing. Anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction, can result from certain food allergies in people who are especially sensitive, meaning they must be constantly vigilant about the foods they consume. Appropriate testing can help identify your food allergies and help you protect yourself from potential allergens.

Food allergy testing should only be performed by a certified allergist to ensure your safety. There are a few methods that may be used to determine which foods you are allergic to. The elimination diet is a common method to rule out specific foods that cause allergic reactions by eliminating suspected foods and slowly reintroducing them into your diet one at a time. A skin prick test will place small amounts of allergens into the skin so that your doctor can observe your reaction.

An oral challenge test will use either a capsule or injection to see if there is a reaction and provide treatment if there is. A blood test can also be used to check for immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies that can indicate that your body has been exposed to an allergy-causing substance. At Columbia Asthma & Allergy, our experienced doctors will help identify your food allergies and provide a customized treatment protocol designed to help you navigate your daily meals without worry.

When you visit The Allergy & Asthma Center in Atlanta for a food allergy evaluation, the duration of the appointment and how quickly you receive results depend entirely on the type of test our specialists recommend. The most common and efficient diagnostic tool we use is the skin prick test. The test itself takes only a few minutes to administer, as a tiny drop of suspected food allergens is gently introduced to the surface of your skin.

We then monitor the area for 15 to 20 minutes to see if a localized reaction, similar to a small mosquito bite, occurs. Because of this rapid response, you will receive your skin prick test results during that very same office visit. If your allergist orders a specific IgE blood test instead—often utilized if you have a severe skin condition or are taking medications that interfere with skin testing—your blood sample is drawn and sent to a laboratory. You can typically expect those results within one to two weeks. Regardless of the method, our team ensures you leave with clear next steps for managing your food sensitivities.

The primary and most effective treatment for food allergies is strict avoidance of the trigger food. Once our board-certified allergists, Dr. Jon E. Stahlman, MD, and Dr. Deidre D. Crocker, MD, identify your specific allergens through comprehensive testing, we work closely with you to develop a robust management plan. This includes education on how to read food labels accurately, navigate cross-contamination risks in restaurants, and find safe dietary alternatives.

For the management of accidental exposures, our team will prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector (such as an EpiPen) and provide hands-on training on how and when to use it in the event of anaphylaxis. Additionally, depending on the patient’s age and specific allergy profile, our specialists may discuss emerging treatments such as oral immunotherapy (OIT) for certain allergens like peanuts. This highly specialized, closely monitored therapy aims to gradually desensitize the immune system, providing a layer of protection against accidental, life-threatening exposures. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 2987 Clairmont Rd #175, Atlanta, GA 30329. We serve patients from Atlanta GA, Brookhaven GA, Chamblee GA, Decatur GA, Dunwoody GA, Tucker GA, Sandy Springs GA, and the surrounding areas.