What is Allergy - Food (Vegetarian)?

The Allergy - Food (vegetarian) test is done when a person is suspected to have an allergy to vegetarian foods such as wheat, rice, peanuts, lentils, soybean, potato, milk, dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and dermatophagoides farinae.

Why is Allergy - Food (Vegetarian) done?

The allergy-food (vegetarian) test is done when a person shows signs and symptoms of allergies such as allergies on the skin like hives, dermatitis, and itching. One may also experience respiratory allergic reactions such as coughing, nasal congestion, sneezing, and other allergic reactions.

What does Allergy - Food (Vegetarian) Measure?

The allergy-food (vegetarian) test measures the levels of allergen-specific antibodies. Allergy is a hypersensitive reaction of the immune system against certain substances. These substances known as allergens are seen in a few people and are responsible for causing allergic reactions.

Hypersensitive reactions are categorized into four types, I to IV. Categorization of these is based on the part of the immune system which is activated and the time is taken by the reactions to occur.

In the case of allergies, two types of hypersensitive reactions are commonly observed which include Type I - Immediate hypersensitivity and Type IV - Delayed hypersensitivity.

In the case of Type I reaction, a person's body produces immune proteins which are known as antibodies on exposure to the allergen. These produced IgE antibodies bind to the allergens and cause local reactions which can sometimes affect the whole body within a short period of time.

Type IV reactions are caused when there is an interaction of allergens with specific sensitized immune cells and white blood cells which are called T lymphocytes.