Your Allergologist in Pordenone

Allergies

Detect them, prevent them, treat them

At Nutrizione Prevenzione we run a specialized clinic for the diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases
We identify the triggers of allergies and help patients manage symptoms, prevent onset and, where possible, treat the condition.

At Nutrizione Prevenzione we treat:

  • Allergies
  • Food intolerances
  • Contact dermatitis

For further assessment or diagnosis of contact dermatitis (allergic and non-allergic), you can book a Patch test with a dermatological medical visit at short notice.

Allergology in many situations is an integral part of dietology as allergies and intolerances appear to be on the rise.
Misinformation in this field is very high and many people without valid qualifications or expertise contribute, with their advice, to worsening the health of many.
The intervention of a specialized, competent and serious medical professional is essential — one who, after a thorough specialist visit, performs only the allergy tests that are indicated and scientifically useful, avoiding unnecessary costs.

Allergy tests are useful

  • To identify the cause of the disease
  • To apply the most effective prevention measures
  • To define the most suitable therapy
  • To avoid anaphylactic shock

The most effective allergy tests are the Patch test and the Prick test.

For further assessment or diagnosis of contact dermatitis alone (allergic and non-allergic), you can quickly book a Patch test with a dermatological visit from the Dermatology page

The pitfalls of self-diagnosis

People with intestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome very often report a food intolerance (50–80%) and, without consulting a DOCTOR, arbitrarily cut out certain foods, risking serious nutritional deficiencies: this is a widespread problem today.

When checked with scientific methods, many of these patients turn out not to have any intolerance at all!

The pitfalls of commercial tests

ALMOST ALL TESTS offered in commercial healthcare settings are not validated by official medicine, including: IgG4 assay, cytotoxic test, Alcat test, electrical tests (vegan\test, Voll electroacupuncture, bioscreening, biostrengt test, sarm test, moratest), kinesiology test, dria test, hair analysis, iridology, bioresonance, pulse test, auricular cardiac reflex, etc.

Always turn exclusively to specialized medical centers and ALWAYS consult your family doctor before taking genetic or other tests aimed at changing your diet.
ALWAYS consult your family doctor if you are offered diets that require continuous use of supplements or meal replacements

In-depth information

An allergy is an excessive immune system reaction to a substance called an allergen (metal, protein or other substance).

Symptoms may be immediate (IgE-mediated) or delayed (up to 48–72 hours) and may depend on various factors: seasonality, age, menstrual cycle, medications, etc.

One in 7 people suffers seriously from an allergic condition.

L’allergia, reazione ad un allergene

These are adverse reactions to proteins in foods involving the immune system.

Food intolerances, by contrast, do not involve the immune system.

Children are more often allergic to milk, eggs and wheat, while adults are more often allergic to fish, shellfish, molluscs, nuts, fresh fruit, sesame and celery.

Symptoms are often strong and may involve the respiratory system (asthma, sneezing, cough, rhinitis, nasal congestion, runny nose, difficulty breathing or swallowing), the skin (urticaria, eczema, atopic dermatitis) and the gastrointestinal system (constipation or diarrhea, nausea, vomiting).

More rarely, widespread generalized reactions and anaphylactic shock may occur.

Food allergies affect only 2–5% of the adult population (8% of children).

Allergie alimentari

They are adverse reactions to a food that occur through mechanisms other than the immunological pathway of allergies, and unlike allergies they are proportional to the amount of food consumed (in allergies the response can be severe even with small amounts).

Symptoms are mostly intestinal (abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting).

15–20% of the population reports having a food intolerance.

Gluten intolerance

Gluten intolerance presents with symptoms similar to celiac disease, such as bloating or irritable bowel, but without an immune system response. It appears within hours to days of ingesting the food, whereas celiac disease may take several months to cause symptoms.

Intolleranze alimentari

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition that affects only genetically predisposed people who, when exposed to gluten, produce antibodies that damage the small intestine.

Although it involves the immune system, celiac disease should not be considered an allergic disease.
Although it is a form of gluten hypersensitivity, it should not be regarded as a simple intolerance.

Duodenal biopsy, performed in hospital, is still the most reliable test to diagnose celiac disease in adults, while in children a less invasive approach is used by looking for specific antibodies in the blood (tTg, IgG, IgA, AGA, EMA).

Celiac disease has been diagnosed in just over 200,000 cases in Italy, but it is estimated that around 500,000–600,000 people are affected.

Celiachia

They may be allergic (if they involve the immune system) or irritant (more common and individualized forms) and present as skin inflammation that becomes red and itchy.

The diagnostic test is the Patch Test.

At the NUTRITION PREVENTION Medical Center we also perform SIDAPA series Patch tests (29 haptens) and EXTENDED SIDAPA (40 haptens).

Dermatiti da contatto

What it is

A series of patches containing the irritant/allergen substance, called a Hapten, are applied to the skin of the patient’s back.

Interpreting the results after 48–72 hours requires thorough professional expertise.

The test is painless and very safe.

Who it may help

Those with Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD), in the diagnosis of drug allergies and atopic dermatitis (chronic inflammatory skin disease with intense itching and dryness).

Limitations

It is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding, in the presence of visible skin lesions, or while on antihistamine drug therapy.

Which substances are tested

In agreement with the doctor, the most common substances responsible for Allergic Contact Dermatitis (HAPTENS, SIDAPA Series) can be tested, or other substances chosen based on the patient’s history.

Substances frequently tested include: nickel, chromium, latex, soaps and detergents, ointment or topical drug components, plants (e.g. poison ivy), drugs (antibiotics, anesthetics, antihistamines).

Patch test

What it is

An allergen extract is placed on the forearm skin to diagnose immediate hypersensitivity reactions (IgE-mediated), i.e. allergies.

A positive result appears within the following 15–20 minutes.

It is practically painless and non-invasive.

Although very safe, it must be performed by a doctor to manage any significant reactions.

Who it may help

Those with rhinitis, asthma, conjunctivitis, atopic dermatitis (chronic inflammatory skin disease with intense itching and dryness).

In short, for screening food and inhalant allergens.

Used in diagnosing food allergies, it is not suitable for checking food hypersensitivities or intolerances (gluten, lactose, etc.).

Limitations

It can be performed at any time, including in childhood (after the first year of age), provided there are no visible skin lesions, no ongoing antihistamine or corticosteroid therapy, and no specific conditions such as AIDS or Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Which substances are tested

In agreement with the doctor, the following can be tested:

  • POLLENS: Parietaria, Grasses, Compositae, Ragweed, Corylaceae, Betulaceae, Cypress, dust MITES and/or minor mites.
  • ANIMAL DERIVATIVES: Dog, Cat, Rabbit, Guinea pig, Horse
  • FUNGI (MOLDS): Aspergillus, Alternaria, Cladosporium
  • LATEX
  • OTHERS: e.g. Flour, Coffee.
Prick test

What it is

The RAST test is a laboratory test that measures in venous blood the level of specific IgE (immunoglobulins) produced against an allergen.

Despite high costs, it often gives false positives and false negatives (because IgG4 is not a marker of food intolerance, but only of an immune response to that food).

The RAST test is also less sensitive and specific than the Patch and Prick tests.

We therefore suggest performing this test only in hospital and only after a specialist medical visit.

Rast test