More than a quarter of the population suffers from one or more allergies. However, the High Health Council (HHR) has warned against pointless tests and has urged people to consult a doctor specialising in food allergies before anything else.
Food hypersensitivities occur within all age groups. The HHR distinguishes between food allergies that result from an inappropriate immune system response and food intolerances, where other biological mechanisms are active.
"Depending on the food and the individual, the symptoms of these hypersensitivities may be similar, but their possible consequences are not. Allergies can trigger very severe reactions and even have a fatal outcome," HHR stressed.
Unreliable alternatives
Analytical laboratories are increasingly being solicited to test food allergies, and the HHR also notes that more tests are being performed that have no proven value.
"Commercial laboratories across the European Union currently offer tests that are claimed to be reliable tools for diagnosing food allergies, but this is usually not the case," the HHR said.
Related News
- Could painkillers be doing us more harm than good?
- Carbon monoxide poisoning: 60 people in Belgium dead this year
In addition, patients are also increasingly finding their way to controversial tests on the internet. "These tests are readily available, but often expensive and have no proven scientific basis anyway. The interpretation of the results is by no means simple and, moreover, is rarely done by a specialised doctor," the statement read.
"If someone suspects that they are hypersensitive to certain foods, visit the GP first," the HGR recommended. "They can then make an initial assessment of the symptoms and refer to an allergology specialist if an allergy is suspected."
