33 million Americans have at least one food allergy. And about 40% of children with food allergies have multiple. We are in a food allergy epidemic, and it shows up in ways you might not expect, though you may already have your suspicions.

Chronic fatigue, eczema, acne, migraines—food allergies are often the invisible culprits behind common symptoms that just won’t go away. But common doesn’t mean normal. At The Wellness Way – Lake Forest, we believe that understanding your unique triggers is the second step toward reclaiming your health. The first step is realizing that the chronic discomfort you feel is not “normal” and there are more options available to you than bandaid solutions.

And I know because I’ve been where you are. As a child, I suffered from bronchitis and asthma for years before my parents discovered food allergy testing. Within weeks of removing gluten and eggs from my diet, my breathing issues stopped. The results changed the course of my life.

That’s why I’m answering your most common question about food allergies and testing—and how to address them to support your well-being.

Let’s start with the biggest misunderstanding of all:

1. Are food allergies and food sensitivities the same?

Yes. Food sensitivities ARE food allergies. It’s the responses that differ. Most people think food allergies only count if they involve immediate, severe reactions like swelling or anaphylaxis. These are IgE reactions, a systemic hypersensitivity reaction with a lifetime prevalence of only 0.05 to 2%.

IgG reactions account for 70 – 90% of immune responses, causing delayed symptoms that can appear hours or even days later, including:

• Migraines
• Digestive issues like IBS
• Acne and eczema
• Fatigue and joint pain
• Anxiety and mood swings

These reactions are not “sensitivities”—they’re immune responses that cause chronic inflammation, a driver of illnesses like autoimmune diseases and Type 2 diabetes.

IgG reactions are the most common type of food allergy and the most overlooked when it comes to food allergy testing, even though studies show removing these triggers can alleviate symptoms like IBS and migraines.

This brings us to the next question.

2. Are all food allergy tests the same?

Most food allergy tests only check for the IgE response, leaving IgG responses undetected. Even among IgG tests, many only test one class of antibodies instead of the four classes required for accurate results.

A lot of my patients are surprised to learn that just because they have had their food allergies tested and received negative results, they may not have been properly tested. For example, I recently worked with a nurse who came to me frustrated by ongoing eczema, fatigue, and other symptoms she couldn’t explain. She’d already been tested for food allergies elsewhere and was told everything looked fine. But when we conducted a comprehensive test, the results told a very different story: 2 IgE allergies and 36 IgG responses!

So, can you test negative for food allergies and still have them?

If the test only checked for IgE response, than technically yes.

That’s why at The Wellness Way – Lake Forest, we recommend a food allergy test that tests all four classes and gets duplicatable results. If you have been tested, still follow those results but it is advised to retest with one that covers all bases so you have the clarity you need to make meaningful changes. After all, you can’t avoid what you don’t know is harming you.

3. Should food allergies with a Low Reactive Score be avoided?

When you see a low score (+1) on your test results, you might assume it’s okay to eat that food. But that’s a common misconception. A low score doesn’t mean the reaction is insignificant; it simply means fewer antibodies are currently present in your blood serum.

Your body naturally develops antibodies in response to anything that doesn’t belong. These antibodies identify potential threats to your body, signaling to your immune system to release chemicals to kill the threat.

A lower reactive score still points to an immune response, one which can cause symptoms or inflammation over time. The key is understanding how they interact with your body and eliminating them to heal it.

4. Can you have a food allergy without symptoms?

Even if you don’t have obvious symptoms, low-level inflammation from hidden allergies can sap your energy and impact your quality of life. Foods you think are healthy—like lettuce or almonds—could be silently working against you.

Regularly having low energy, watery eyes, and stuffy nose are not the norm even if they have become the norm for you. Testing provides the insights you need to elevate your baseline health from “fine” to thriving.

5. Can you be allergic to something you’ve never eaten?

Another surprise for many of my patients is an unfamiliar food on their allergy test. It’s not unusual. Your body reacts to proteins in food, not just exposure. Think of it this way: people allergic to cats don’t need to cuddle one to react.

If a food you’ve never eaten appears on your test, it might actually be easier to avoid than a beloved favorite like chocolate or coffee. Consider it a hidden win in your health journey. Even if one of your go-to foods finds it’s way on your list, all is not lost.

6. Can food allergies change over time?

Facing a laundry list of food allergies? Good news. Not all allergies are forever. Your immune system adapts to your environment and what you put into your body. With proper healing through diet and lifestyle changes, many allergies can disappear.

Food allergies change because your immune system changes.

At The Wellness Way – Lake Forest, we recommend yearly testing to track your progress and adjust your health plan as needed. It’s an exciting day when the results of following your list means getting to take another food allergy off it.

7. What is the best treatment for a food allergy?

In our current medical system, the most common treatments for food allergies focus on managing symptoms rather than addressing the root cause. Options like antihistamines, steroids, and even allergy shots are designed to suppress the immune system’s response to allergens, making symptoms disappear temporarily.

This approach can offer some relief, but the underlying allergy doesn’t go away—the immune system is simply being suppressed. This can create a cycle of dependency on medications, leaving the immune system unable to function as it was designed to.

The real question is: Does this method of treatment truly work?

Consider the growing rates of food allergies, autoimmune diseases, and inflammation-related conditions. If the conventional approach worked to heal allergies, those numbers would be dropping—not rising.

At The Wellness Way–Lake Forest, we take a different perspective. Through comprehensive testing—the test we recommend is ImmunoLabs—we identify specific triggers and create personalized plans that allow your body to heal.

By addressing the causes of inflammation and restoring balance to your immune system, we can help you break free from the cycle of chasing symptoms and find lasting relief.

Book a discovery call today and let’s get your food allergies tested