Before diving into testing options, it's important to understand the difference between food allergies and food sensitivities. Food allergies involve an immune system response that can range from mild hives to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Food sensitivities, while less severe, can still significantly impact your quality of life with symptoms like bloating, headaches, fatigue, and digestive issues.
Common food allergens include milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, and soy – accounting for about 90% of all food allergic reactions. However, any food has the potential to trigger an allergic or sensitivity response.

Skin Prick Testing
The gold standard for food allergy testing, skin prick tests provide rapid results in about 15-20 minutes. During this test, small amounts of suspected allergens are introduced to the skin through tiny pricks. If you're allergic, a small raised bump will appear at the test site. This method is highly accurate for immediate allergic reactions and can test for multiple allergens simultaneously.

Blood Testing (Specific IgE)
For patients who cannot undergo skin testing due to severe eczema, certain medications, or other factors, blood tests measure specific IgE antibodies in your bloodstream. While results take longer than skin tests, blood testing can be particularly useful for detecting allergies to foods you haven't been exposed to recently.

Oral Food Challenge
Considered the most definitive test for food allergies, oral food challenges are conducted under strict medical supervision at our clinics. Patients consume increasing amounts of a suspected allergen while being closely monitored for reactions. This test is typically reserved for cases where other testing methods have been inconclusive.

Food Sensitivity Testing
Beyond traditional allergy testing, AFC Allergy & Med offers comprehensive food sensitivity panels that can identify delayed reactions to foods. These tests help uncover hidden triggers that might be causing chronic symptoms like digestive issues, skin problems, or fatigue.

Personalized Elimination Diets
Based on your test results, our specialists create customized elimination diets that remove problematic foods while ensuring proper nutrition. We provide detailed guidance on reading food labels, finding safe alternatives, and maintaining a balanced diet.

Oral Immunotherapy (OIT)
For select patients with food allergies, we offer oral immunotherapy – a groundbreaking treatment that gradually introduces tiny amounts of allergens to build tolerance over time. This treatment has shown remarkable success in reducing the severity of allergic reactions and improving quality of life.

Emergency Action Plans
Every patient receives a personalized emergency action plan detailing how to recognize and respond to allergic reactions. We ensure you and your family members understand proper use of epinephrine auto-injectors and when to seek emergency medical care.

Nutritional Counseling
​Managing food allergies often requires significant dietary changes. Our registered dietitians work with patients to develop meal plans that avoid trigger foods while maintaining optimal nutrition, especially important for growing children and adults with multiple food allergies.

Desert Expertise
Living in Arizona presents unique challenges for allergy sufferers. Our specialists understand how the desert climate and lifestyle factors can impact food allergies and sensitivities, providing treatment plans tailored to Valley living.

Three Convenient Locations
With clinics in Phoenix, Tempe, and Surprise, quality food allergy care is never far away. Each location offers the same high standard of care with state-of-the-art testing equipment and experienced allergists.

Comprehensive Care
From initial testing through ongoing management, we provide complete food allergy care under one roof. Our team includes board-certified allergists, registered nurses, and nutritional specialists working together for your health.

Family-Focused Approach
​Food allergies affect the entire family. We provide education and support for parents, caregivers, and patients of all ages, including school action plans and workplace accommodation guidance.

Consider food allergy testing if you experience:

• Immediate reactions after eating specific foods (hives, swelling, difficulty breathing)
• Chronic digestive issues that improve when avoiding certain foods
• Unexplained skin problems or eczema flares
• Recurring headaches or fatigue after meals
• Family history of food allergies
• Previous mild reactions that seem to be worsening

Taking the Next Step
Don't let food allergies control your life. The first step toward answers is comprehensive testing with experienced professionals who understand the complexities of food allergies and sensitivities.

AFC Allergy & Med makes it easy to get started with same-day appointments available and most insurance plans accepted. Our patient coordinators will work with you to schedule testing at whichever location – Phoenix, Tempe, or Surprise – is most convenient for your family.

Ready to discover what's been causing your food reactions? Contact AFC Allergy & Med today to schedule your comprehensive food allergy evaluation. Your journey toward eating with confidence starts with a simple phone call.

Contact AFC Allergy & Med:

• Phoenix Location: 1277 E Missouri Ave Ste 101A Phoenix, Arizona 85014
• Tempe Location:2145 E Warner Rd, Ste 104 Tempe, AZ 85284
• Surprise Location:14239 W Bell Rd UNIT 108 Surprise, AZ 85374
• Online: AFCMed.com

Don't wait another day to get the answers you deserve. Your health and peace of mind are worth it.

Every day, millions of people navigate life with undiagnosed allergies, playing a dangerous guessing game with their health. They pop antihistamines like candy, avoid entire food groups "just in case," and miss out on outdoor activities during beautiful weather. But here's what many don't realize: living with untested allergies isn't just uncomfortable—it's expensive, limiting, and potentially dangerous.
Consider Sarah, a local teacher who spent three years avoiding her favorite hiking trails every spring, convinced she was "just sensitive to pollen." After comprehensive allergy testing at AFC MED, she discovered she was only allergic to specific tree pollens that peaked in early March. Now she times her outdoor activities perfectly and uses targeted treatments that actually work. "I got my life back," she says. "I wish I'd done this years ago."

Seasonal Allergies: Beyond the Generic "Pollen Allergy"Think all pollen is the same? Think again. AFC MED's comprehensive seasonal allergy panel tests for specific triggers including:

• Tree pollens (oak, maple, birch, cedar)
• Grass pollens (bermuda, timothy, johnson grass)
• Weed pollens (ragweed, sagebrush, pigweed)
• Mold spores (alternaria, aspergillus, cladosporium)
• Dust mites and pet dander

When you know exactly what triggers your symptoms, you can:

• Time outdoor activities to avoid your specific allergens
• Choose the right medications that target your particular triggers
• Make informed decisions about landscaping and home environment
• Plan vacations and activities with confidence

Food allergies affect 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 13 children, yet many people spend years eliminating foods unnecessarily or, worse, unknowingly consuming their triggers. AFC MED's food allergy testing covers the "Big 8" allergens plus additional common triggers:

• Milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts
• Wheat, soy, fish, shellfish
• Plus testing for fruits, vegetables, and spices

Real talk: That "gluten sensitivity" might actually be a wheat allergy. Those "digestive issues" could be a milk protein allergy, not lactose intolerance. The difference matters—for your health, your diet, and your peace of mind.

Quick, Accurate, Comfortable TestingOur skin prick tests provide results in just 15-20 minutes, testing for multiple allergens simultaneously. No lengthy waits, no multiple appointments, no guesswork.
Expert InterpretationGetting tested is only half the battle. Our experienced providers don't just hand you results—they explain what they mean, help you understand cross-reactivities, and create personalized management plans.
Comprehensive CareBeyond testing, we provide:

• Customized avoidance strategies
• Medication recommendations tailored to your specific triggers
• Emergency action plans for severe allergies
• Follow-up care to adjust treatments as needed

Insurance-Friendly OptionsMost insurance plans cover allergy testing when medically necessary. Our staff helps navigate coverage questions, and we offer affordable self-pay options for those without insurance.

For Seasonal Allergies:

• Symptoms occur at the same time each year
• Over-the-counter medications aren't providing relief
• Symptoms interfere with work, school, or daily activities
• You're tired of feeling miserable for months at a time

For Food Allergies:

• Recurring digestive issues, skin reactions, or respiratory symptoms
• Family history of food allergies
• Previous reactions to foods but unsure which ones
• Child showing signs of allergies (eczema, colic, feeding difficulties)

Stop Living in Limitation
Here's the truth: You don't have to accept a life limited by allergies. Every sneeze-filled spring, every declined dinner invitation, every food you avoid "just to be safe"—these don't have to be your normal.

Comprehensive allergy testing at AFC MED takes about an hour and can change your life. Imagine knowing exactly what to avoid and what's perfectly safe. Picture enjoying outdoor activities without dread, eating with confidence, and finally having treatments that actually work because they target your specific triggers.
Ready to Take Control?Your allergies have been calling the shots long enough. It's time to get answers, get relief, and get your life back.

Schedule your allergy testing consultation at AFC MED today.