Allergy - Gluten Test

Gluten, a component of wheat, is a very prevalent but under diagnosed food allergy across the
world. It is an immune response to gluten, and is very common in children which are outgrown by
the age of 12.
Symptoms of gluten allergy can range from mild to life-threatening. They could begin immediately
after consumption or even two hours after. Symptoms include:
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Irritation of the mouth and the throat
Hives and rash
Nasal congestion
Eye irritation
Difficulty in breathing and anaphylaxis

The person will be prescribed either a skin prick test or blood test. These tests are dependent on the presence of gluten or wheat in the person’s body for the test to be conclusive. This means it is very important for the person to not begin a gluten-free or wheat-free diet before the test. This test, unlike other common blood tests, does not require fasting. It is advisable for the test taker to inform their doctor or test provider about any medical conditions or allergies otherwise existing.

The doctor must also be informed of any other medications that the test taker is taking, pursuant to which the doctor will give specific instructions. It is advisable that the test taker wears a shirt or t-shirt which exposes the forearm or is loose enough to roll up, as the test site is the forearm.

The test is done to identify if the person is allergic to gluten or not. If the test results come back as positive, the person will likely be referred to a nutritionist. The person will be able to discuss their other dietary restrictions to arrive at a diet plan which will eliminate gluten but ensure that the person gets enough protein and other dietary requirements.

The test type is called skin prick test. Here, a needle is pricked on the forearm of the person with a small amount of the allergen, which is gluten in this case. The test is done is specialised allergy testing centres, full service testing centres or at a clinic or hospital. A part of the skin on your arm is chosen as the site, which is cleaned by rubbing alcohol. After this, the needle is injected. The skin is observed for a period of time to see if it shows any reaction to the allergen.