Food Allergy

Causes & Risk Factors

Food allergy risk is influenced by a combination of genetic and early-life factors:

•  Family history of allergic conditions (atopy) — including allergy, asthma, or eczema — increases individual risk.

•  Personal history of another allergic condition, such as eczema or asthma, is associated with increased likelihood of food allergy.

•  Age — food allergies are more commonly diagnosed in young children, though some persist into or develop in adulthood.

•  The specific food involved — certain foods (such as peanut, tree nuts, milk, egg, and shellfish) are more commonly associated with allergic reactions than others.

Symptoms & When to Test

Food allergy symptoms typically occur within minutes to a couple of hours after eating a triggering food.

•  Skin rash or hives

•  Itching

•  Swelling of the lips, face, or tongue

•  Abdominal pain

•  Vomiting or diarrhea

•  Wheezing or breathing difficulty

•  Severe reactions (anaphylaxis) — throat tightness, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or fainting — constitute a medical emergency

When Should You Consider Testing?

Testing is generally appropriate when there is a clear history of symptoms occurring after eating a specific food, to help identify or confirm the suspected allergen. It is not typically useful as a broad screening test without a suggestive history.

Why Tests Are Combined

Specific IgE testing for an individual, clinically suspected food is often more useful than broad, untargeted panel testing, since a positive result for a food the patient tolerates well can cause unnecessary anxiety or dietary restriction without clinical benefit.

A multi-allergen food panel can be useful when the trigger is unclear or when a patient reacts to multiple foods, evaluating sensitization to several allergens simultaneously from one sample rather than testing sequentially.

Because specific-IgE testing shows sensitization rather than confirming a clinically significant allergy, results are always interpreted together with the patient's reported symptoms and reaction history — a positive test in someone who eats the food without symptoms is not treated the same as a positive test with a clear reaction history.

Tests Available at NPL

Most allergy and immunology blood tests do not require fasting. However, some tests ordered at the same time may have specific preparation requirements. Please follow the instructions provided by your doctor or NPL.

Home Sample Collection

NPL offers convenient home sample collection for Food Allergy blood tests, so you don't need to visit a lab in person.

→ Book your test online, via the NPL app, or by calling +977 1 5970147 and select a convenient time slot for home sample collection.

→ A certified and experienced NPL phlebotomist visits your home at the scheduled time, following strict hygiene and safety protocols.

→ Your sample is transported under controlled, monitored conditions to NPL's NABL ACCREDITED UNDER ISO15189:2012laboratory for processing.

→ Your digital report is delivered securely to your phone or email, along with access to download and share it as needed.

When to See a Doctor

•  Any severe allergic reaction — throat tightness, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or fainting — seek emergency care immediately

•  Recurrent reactions after eating a specific food

•  New, unexplained allergic symptoms after eating

•  A child with suspected food allergy — evaluation by a pediatrician or allergist is recommended before making major dietary changes