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Anna & Oliver

Anna and Oliver both had severe eczema when they were infants and were diagnosed with a milk allergy. Their parents were advised to eliminate cow’s milk from their diets and substitute milk with milk-free formula. When they were 4 years old, they both started experiencing dry skin, runny noses, sneezing and red, itchy eyes during pollen season. So, they each underwent skin-prick testing (SPT) and combined with their medical histories, their healthcare professional diagnosed them both with having birch and soy allergies, but no milk allergy.

Their parents then eliminated soy from their diets, and gave them antihistamines during pollen season. Now they are 8 years old and it’s time for Anna and Oliver to be re-tested.

Anna & Oliver's Results

An ImmunoCAPTM Allergen Components test result confirms that Oliver is allergic to birch and soy. He still has a risk for reaction to all forms of soy and should remain on a soy-free diet. But Anna’s results tell a different story. Her results indicate that she’s allergic to birch, and that she has a pollen-related soy allergy, meaning that she reacts to soy because there’s a cross-reaction between birch pollen and a protein found in soy. While Anna still needs to avoid large amounts of soy—like soy milk— she and her parents no longer have to worry about the risk of her eating “hidden” soy.

Milk

Soy

Birch

Am I Allergic?

Why it’s important to know

Many people are so used to living with their allergies that they never think that they  should have their healthcare professional reassess their initial diagnosis. Just because you know what you were allergic to a year ago doesn’t mean you know everything you’re allergic to today. Since your reactions can change over time—especially to foods like milk and soy—retesting can play an important role in your life or the life of someone you love, by reducing unnecessary food avoidance and the fear of risk.1 Be sure to consult with your healthcare professional.

Learn more about testing

The people, places and events depicted in these photographs do not represent actual patients, nor are they affiliated in any way with the attached case study or Thermo Fisher Scientific.

References

1.     American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. http://acaai.org/resources/connect/ask-allergist/Allergy-Testing. Accessed October 2017.