Food allergies are a serious and often life-threatening medical condition. People who are allergic to certain foods are at an increased risk for other conditions like atopic dermatitis, asthma and allergic rhinitis.
Your school or childcare providers must be informed of your child’s food allergy in order to develop an emergency plan and avoid accidental exposure, including informing parents of children who share similar interests. It is also a good idea to alert other children who might come in contact with it as this could prevent accidental incidents occurring.
Symptoms
People suffering from “classic” food allergies experience their immune systems mistaking a food as potentially harmful, sending out antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (or IgE). When this food is eaten again, its proteins bind with these IgE antibodies, leading to the release of chemicals which trigger symptoms like itching in the mouth or throat, stomach pain, swelling, trouble breathing or drops in blood pressure – potentially life threatening issues that require medical help immediately. Recognizing early symptoms and seeking medical assistance early is critical in order to survive life threatening allergies quickly.
Food allergies can also produce local reactions in the form of rashes or hives at the site of contact, including lips or mouth (oral allergy syndrome). Sometimes symptoms may develop later than expected – this form of food allergy is sometimes known as delayed or “delayed-type.”
Food reactions usually aren’t caused by our immune systems and do not result in anaphylaxis, for instance lactose intolerance, heartburn (“gastroesophageal reflux”), bacterial food poisoning and caffeine intolerance are examples.
Diagnosis
Food intolerances typically stem from digestive upset rather than allergy reactions, and symptoms often appear in relation to how much of one particular food was eaten.
Your child’s immune system may overreact to certain foods, or components thereof, that they perceive as potentially hazardous, which causes histamines to be released resulting in symptoms like hives, asthma attacks, itchy mouth/throat/stomach pain/diarrhea – often manifesting themselves through symptoms like these. Food allergies tend to occur most commonly among children but can affect people of all ages.
Your doctor can detect food allergies by gathering medical histories and conducting physical exams that include listening to the lungs. Furthermore, skin tests for reactions or blood tests for immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies against various foods could also provide insight. A positive IgE test alone does not reliably diagnose an allergy; rather it helps your physician decide whether an oral food challenge or additional diagnostic testing might be needed to achieve an accurate diagnosis.
Under strict medical supervision, your physician will give you tiny doses of the suspected food under close observation to test for allergic reactions. This procedure should only be carried out if history and skin or blood tests don’t reveal anything conclusively. Your doctor may advise carrying an adrenalin shot (Adrenaclick, Auvi-Q or EpiPen) should severe allergic reactions occur when eating particular food items.
Treatment
Food allergies can have severe repercussions for your entire body. They may range from mild to life-threatening reactions; anaphylaxis (a drop in your blood pressure) is potentially life-threatening and requires immediate epinephrine treatment in order to survive.
Food allergies cannot be cured, but there are various treatment options to reduce symptoms and avoid future reactions. Avoiding foods which trigger your reactions is the cornerstone of successful management; keep epinephrine auto-injectors handy should an adverse reaction arise, and consult your physician about other possible medications to treat symptoms, such as antihistamines, corticosteroids or bronchodilators which might also be helpful.
Allergy testing can help identify which foods may be triggering your symptoms. An allergist will perform either a skin or blood test to check for an allergic response and may suggest an oral food challenge in which small quantities of the suspect food are eaten under their supervision to see if there is an adverse reaction.
Pollen or dust allergies, family history of eczema or asthma, and having other food sensitivities increase your chance of food allergies. There is also the possibility of oral allergy syndrome which occurs when an immune system mistakenly perceives proteins present in certain raw fruits and vegetables as threats that should be neutralised, thus producing antibodies to fight them off.
Prevention
Once an allergy has been identified, there is only one surefire way to manage its symptoms: complete avoidance. Even small amounts of an allergenic food can trigger life-threatening reactions known as anaphylaxis; thus it is imperative that you follow all medical advice when it comes to eating out or trying new foods. If your physician prescribes an epinephrine (adrenaline) autoinjector, learn its proper use immediately and carry it with you at all times.
Be sure that all those caring for you or your child understands food allergies. This should include daycare providers, teachers and the parents of any children your children interact with. Inform them if a reaction begins – symptoms might include breathing difficulty, reduced blood pressure and shock.
People suffering from food allergies may find it useful to wear medical alert bracelets or necklaces to alert others of their condition, particularly when dining out where staff might not detect hidden allergens easily. This may help others be more aware of your allergy as well.
If your doctor recommends trying a new food, be sure to read labels carefully and inquire as to its preparation; for instance, cooking it in oil from which you have an allergy could potentially cross-contaminate it. Furthermore, ask about food challenge tests in which small portions of a new food are eaten gradually to see how your body responds.
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