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Wheat and Corm Positive Skin Tests

Dear Dr. Kagen,

My 5 year old had a mild reaction to wheat and corn on his skin test (as well as reactions to several molds). I have been told to not worry about the food reactions, but to me, a reaction is a reaction. My son has frequent runny noses/"colds" that last several weeks at a time (year around), and I am looking for a cause. I am avoiding these foods for the time being because I don't want the reactions to get worse.

What is your opinion?

Thanks for asking about food allergy skin testing and allergy symptoms.

When a patient has a positive skin test to the grass like foods of corn and wheat it may indicate that the patient may develop symptoms of hay fever due to grass pollen exposures in the future.

The positive allergy test to corn suggests that there is an increased probability of the patient experiencing an allergic reaction to the food when compared to the risk of the general population. A positive food allergy skin test demonstrates that the patient has a sensitivity to that specific food. It does not mean that the food when eaten will definitely cause allergy symptoms.

Food allergy symptoms include gastrointestinal complaints such as cramps, diarrhea and stomach aches while food allergy symptoms in the skin include itching and hives. Severe allergic reactions to foods may include anaphylaxis, which is a total body reaction which may be fatal.

The food allergy skin tests must be interpreted in view of the medical history of the patient. I suggest that you discuss your child's situation again with your doctor.

I hope this information is useful to you and your family.

Good luck.

Steve Kagen, M.D.
Allernet.com