IBS-80
IBS-80 patch testing identifies food allergies that may be causing your irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). By avoiding foods identified by the testing, your symptoms may lessen or completely disappear.
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In clinical studies, over 50% of patients improved, including 30% whose symptoms were nearly or completely resolved.
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The IBS-80 Revolution
Until now, the medical community believed that food allergies do not generally cause IBS. The reason: research had focused on the wrong type of allergy (type 1 - think peanut allergy - and type 3), detected by blood tests.
Dr. Michael Stierstorfer, a dermatologist and former IBS sufferer, knew that there is a different type of allergy (type 4 - think poison ivy), detected by patch testing - commonly used for skin rashes. In groundbreaking research, Dr. Stierstorfer discovered that type 4 food allergies are the cause of IBS in many patients.
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This major breakthrough will fundamentally change the evaluation and treatment of IBS.
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Hi. I'm Michael Stierstorfer, M.D., inventor of the IBS-80 Skin Patch Test. In 2008, I developed IBS symptoms and was diagnosed with IBS. When standard treatments didn't help, I was determined to find a solution. As a dermatologist, my specialty is the skin. I knew that the skin and the lining of the intestine are similar in some important ways.
Introduction to IBS-80 (less than one minute)
How much do you know about IBS? Take the quiz!
What Makes IBS-80 Different?
IBS sufferers are often told that food allergies do not cause IBS. That’s because older studies looked at the wrong kind of allergy (think peanut allergy).
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IBS-80 is a series of patch tests that test for a different kind of allergy (think poison ivy). Patch testing is routinely used to look for allergies that cause skin rashes, but until now it was never used to investigate IBS. IBS-80 tests for allergies to 80 common foods and food additives. By eliminating foods that cause an allergic reaction from your diet, your symptoms may improve or even resolve.
IBS-80 patch testing is painless and easy.
One
The skin patch test consists of
food allergens in small wells fixed
to hypoallergenic adhesive
Four
At that same visit, your provider
will perform an initial patch
test reading
Two
Patches with 80 food and
food additive allergens are
placed on your back
Five
One or two days later when you return for your third and final visit, each area is checked again for
new allergic reactions
Three
Two days later your provider removes the patches and
outlines the testing sites
Six
Your provider will review the results and discuss which food(s) to avoid
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Food patch testing is painless and does not use needles or skin pricks. Patches are prepared by licensed compounding pharmacists at The Compounding Pharmacist in West Chester, PA, following Pennsylvania Pharmacy Board good manufacturing practices and United States Pharmacopeia Chapter 795 guidelines.
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If you have any known food or food additive allergies, report them to your provider before your provider orders IBS-80. They will be excluded from your patch tests.
How much do you know about IBS? Take the quiz!
Traditional IBS dietary management often calls for patients to cut
large food groups from their diet, like dairy, gluten, and FOD-MAP. But sometimes, it's just one or a few foods that cause your Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms.
IBS-80 uses skin patch testing to identify food allergies associated
with your IBS. With the testing, you can avoid just the foods that may be causing your symptoms. Not only can you get your everyday life back, but you can also enjoy a more extensive range of foods.
Have you been struggling with IBS?
The IBS-80 skin patch test might be right for you.
Click and find a participating physician near you
or ask your provider to administer the IBS-80 skin patch test.
