Eosinophilic Esophagitis
What is Eosinophilic Esophagitis?
Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic immune system disease that affects the esophagus, the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach. When you have this condition, a type of white blood cell called eosinophils builds up in the lining of your esophagus. These cells cause inflammation that makes swallowing difficult and painful.
This buildup happens when your immune system overreacts to certain foods or allergens. The inflammation can damage the esophagus over time, leading to scarring and narrowing. Unlike acid reflux, this condition does not respond to typical heartburn medications.
Eosinophilic esophagitis affects both children and adults. The good news is that identifying your specific triggers through testing can help you manage symptoms and prevent long-term damage.
Symptoms
- Difficulty swallowing solid foods
- Food getting stuck in the esophagus
- Chest pain that does not respond to antacids
- Heartburn that does not improve with medication
- Regurgitation of undigested food
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Poor appetite or weight loss
- Failure to thrive in children
- Feeding problems in young children
Some people adapt to symptoms over time by eating slowly, chewing food thoroughly, or avoiding certain textures. This can make the condition harder to recognize.
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Causes and risk factors
Eosinophilic esophagitis develops when your immune system mistakenly attacks harmless substances. Common food triggers include milk, eggs, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, nuts, and buckwheat. Environmental allergens like pollen or animal dander can also play a role. Your genes may make you more likely to develop this condition, especially if you have a family history of allergies or asthma.
People with other allergic conditions face higher risk. These include food allergies, seasonal allergies, asthma, and eczema. Males develop eosinophilic esophagitis more often than females. The condition can start at any age but is increasingly diagnosed in both children and adults.
How it's diagnosed
Doctors diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis by looking at tissue samples from your esophagus during an endoscopy. This procedure involves inserting a thin tube with a camera down your throat. A biopsy showing high numbers of eosinophils confirms the diagnosis.
Blood tests help identify specific allergen triggers that may be causing your immune response. Rite Aid offers testing for allergen-specific IgE and IgG antibodies to foods like cream cheese, tilapia, and buckwheat. We also measure your eosinophil count and test for goose feather antibodies. These results help you and your doctor pinpoint which foods or environmental factors to avoid.
Treatment options
- Eliminate trigger foods identified through allergen testing
- Try an elimination diet under medical guidance to find additional triggers
- Use proton pump inhibitors to reduce acid and inflammation
- Take swallowed topical steroids prescribed by your doctor
- Consider biologic medications for severe cases
- Undergo esophageal dilation if narrowing has occurred
- Work with an allergist or gastroenterologist for ongoing care
- Keep a food diary to track symptoms and potential triggers
- Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly to reduce swallowing problems
- Follow up regularly to monitor inflammation and prevent complications
Concerned about Eosinophilic Esophagitis? Get tested at Rite Aid.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
The main cause is an immune system overreaction to specific foods or environmental allergens. Your body mistakenly sees these harmless substances as threats. This triggers eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, to flood the esophagus and cause inflammation.
No, eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management. Without treatment, inflammation can lead to permanent scarring and narrowing of the esophagus. However, identifying and avoiding triggers can put the condition into remission and prevent symptoms.
Blood tests for allergen-specific IgE and IgG antibodies can identify potential food triggers. Your doctor may also recommend an elimination diet where you remove common triggers for several weeks. You then reintroduce foods one at a time while monitoring symptoms.
No, these are different conditions. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. Eosinophilic esophagitis is an immune-driven inflammation caused by allergens. Unlike acid reflux, it does not respond well to standard heartburn medications.
Untreated inflammation can cause permanent damage to the esophagus. This includes scarring, narrowing, and the formation of strictures that make swallowing very difficult. Food may become stuck more frequently, and you may need procedures to widen the esophagus.
Most children do not outgrow this condition, but symptoms can be well controlled with proper treatment. Early identification of food triggers and dietary management help prevent complications. Regular monitoring ensures the condition stays under control as children grow.
Initial allergen testing helps identify your main triggers. Retest if you develop new symptoms or if your current treatment plan stops working. Your doctor may recommend periodic testing to monitor your eosinophil levels and adjust your management plan.
The most common food triggers are milk, eggs, wheat, soy, nuts, and seafood. However, any food can potentially cause a reaction. Testing for specific IgE and IgG antibodies helps identify your personal triggers, which may include less common foods like buckwheat or specific fish.
Stress does not directly cause eosinophilic esophagitis, but it can make symptoms feel worse. Stress may affect how you perceive pain and discomfort. Managing stress through relaxation techniques may help you cope better with symptoms.
Most people need to avoid identified triggers long-term to prevent inflammation. Some individuals can tolerate small amounts of trigger foods after the esophagus heals. Work closely with your doctor to determine if and when you might safely reintroduce any foods.