The incredible rise in food allergies has created a parenting environment that has virtually every parent in a frenzied state regarding what their kids eat. Will an undiagnosed allergy cause a severe reaction from an innocent sandwich or cookie? Now, however, a new study has determined that many of these allergies are misdiagnosed, leaving parents to reevaluate their children’s health and diet, as well as the stress and anxiety that come with it.

One of the key underlying reasons for the apparent misdiagnoses is an over-reliance on the results of skin and blood tests, which have become much more accessible and as a result, are being used more frequently. Blood tests measure and antibody immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody circulating in the bloodstream, which is our immune system’s way of dealing with an offending invader, or allergen. The skin test measures the body’s reaction to exposure to a specific food extract or substance.

The problems with the tests is that they are apparently unreliable, to the point that many positive diagnoses are not in fact real. Some experts even suggest that the current increase of food allergies, especially peanut allergies which have doubled in the past ten years, is actually a consequence of misdiagnosis, a concept that was reported on this site by Lela Davidson.

What concerns experts is that while the presence of antibodies in the blood might very well indicate a sensitivity to a certain food, it doesn’t necessarily mean someone will experience allergic symptoms. In other words, the presence of antibodies does not always translate into disease in many people.

In order to come to a more thorough diagnosis, more factors need to be taken into account, including any history of allergies as well as reactions to other potential allergens that can be misinterpreted (i.e., pet hair and hay fever). The problem of diagnosis is compounded by the fact that it is difficult, to say the least, to pinpoint the exact food that may be causing the reaction without painstakingly monitoring the patient's diet. Furthermore, in some cases, doctors jump the gun and assume a reaction is due to an allergy. Then patients unquestioningly follow their doctor’s guidelines, which can sometimes be unnecessary.

And while the best way to identify a risky food is to conduct a food challenge under controlled hospital conditions, these tests are demanding and time consuming. They involve numerous doses of food at 15 minute intervals, often beginning in the early morning and lasting for up to 6 hours. In many instances, the wait to even receive such a test can be a year long.

It is important to keep in mind that food allergies, particularly peanut allergies, can be serious, if not life threatening. If you suspect your child may be allergic to something, speak with your pediatrician. Know your options and whenever possible, consult with an allergy expert and get second opinions when you can. Do not attempt to conduct food challenges at home, on your own.

For more information about food allergy symptoms and treatment, check out the website for the Food Allergies and Anaphylaxis Network and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).