Doctors Warn Parents Against Buying Spurious Food Allergy Testing Kits

Doctors have warned parents against buying food allergy testing kits- the Vega tester test, kinesiology and hair analysis for allergy testing. By buying such kits parents are not only wasting money but also increasing their children's suffering. About 1 in 20 children has a food allergy. Doctors could not explain the reason behind this rise in food allergies. Several hypothetical theories like caesarean births to children not being exposed to enough germs to kick start their immune systems have surfaced. Getting an accurate diagnosis from the NHS was a lengthy procedure therefore parents often resorted to buying these allergy kits online for about 60pounds. Experts from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) have issued new guidelines aimed at speeding up NHS diagnoses. According to the new guidelines parents paying for allergy testing are advised to consult a reputable and trained specialist.

Consultant in pediatric allergy at Guy's and St. Thomas Hospital in London, Dr. Adam Fox was concerned as many a times children were put on restricted diets on the basis of these spurious tests. There is no scientific basis for such alternative tests. These kits can delay proper diagnosis and since the child has been wrongly put on a restricted diet, it can lead to malnutrition. Dr. Fox said skin prick testing and the IgE blood test on the NHS were medically proven. These tests should not be confused with some IgG food intolerance and home testing kits.




Source-Medindia