Food allergies are on the rise, sending more people to hospitals for life-threatening reactions and prompting menus and airlines to post allergy warnings and institute peanut-free policies. This explains why more and more restaurants display allergy warnings on menus as well as create peanut-free environments at schools or on flights.
Allergies typically surface during childhood. Milk, eggs and peanut allergies tend to fade with age while fish, shellfish, wheat and soy allergies may continue to plague individuals throughout their lives.
Symptoms
Food allergies are serious medical conditions that impact every part of the body, from skin symptoms (hives or rashes) and digestive symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting to anaphylaxis requiring emergency medical assistance.
Your immune system often mistakenly interprets certain proteins found in food as dangerous, prompting it to produce antibodies against these foods and when you eat one that makes you allergic, those antibodies bind with its proteins and cause the release of chemicals responsible for symptoms like diarrhea and low blood pressure. Immunoglobulin E antibodies typically trigger these classic food allergies while there are lesser-known types such as oral allergy syndrome or food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) which primarily affect infants but can still trigger serious reactions with symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting and low blood pressure.
Keep epinephrine on you at all times in case of an allergic reaction, and ask your healthcare provider to prescribe it in injectable form (Adrenaclick or EpiPen). Additionally, when dining out be sure that staff members know about your allergy and ensure they prepare meals on surfaces free from potential allergens that come into contact with the food you’re allergic to.
Diagnosis
Food allergies occur when your immune system mistakes a food as being harmful and responds accordingly, sending immunoglobulin E antibodies against it. This results in symptoms such as itching in the mouth or throat, difficulty breathing, stomach discomfort, diarrhea or vomiting that could even become life-threatening under certain circumstances. Anaphylaxis may even result from severe reactions.
Your healthcare provider will conduct an in-depth history review regarding any symptoms experienced after eating certain foods, and inquire as to the onset, frequency and severity. In addition, nonprescription allergy medications like antihistamines may also be suggested and assessed accordingly; moreover, your healthcare provider may ask if anyone in your family suffers from allergies, eczema or asthma.
Food allergies can be diagnosed using both skin tests and blood tests. Skin tests involve pricking your skin with small amounts of suspected allergens to see if there is an allergic response, while blood tests measure levels of IgE antibodies in response to specific foods; although more accurate, blood tests may still be misleading and even a negative result doesn’t always mean you don’t have a food allergy; in these instances healthcare providers may recommend an elimination diet instead.
Treatment
Food allergies can cause serious and even life-threatening reactions such as hives, lip or throat swelling, difficulty breathing and drop in blood pressure (anaphylaxis). Seek medical assistance immediately if these symptoms develop again after having previously experienced them; nonprescription antihistamines may help relieve some symptoms; those who suffer from food allergies should always carry an epinephrine auto-injector such as Adrenaclick, Auvi-Q or EpiPen to quickly respond in case of severe reactions.
Identification and avoidance are the best treatments for food allergies, and children with such sensitivities should have an action plan and wear a medical ID bracelet or necklace with this information clearly marked on.
At your allergy test appointment, discuss with your physician any symptoms and when they occur that could indicate food allergy or another health issue like asthma. Your physician will then conduct a skin prick test to identify which foods may trigger a reaction and provide solutions.
Your doctor may recommend other tests, including blood tests to detect antibodies against certain foods, an oral food challenge in which gradually increasing amounts of suspected allergens are given while you’re monitored for signs of an allergic reaction, and patch testing with small amounts of allergenic food. Other treatments being researched for food allergies include oral immunotherapy (OIT) and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) whereby you receive small doses daily sublingually of an allergenic substance to build tolerance over time.
Prevention
Food allergies cannot be prevented with medication; however, people can learn to avoid foods which cause symptoms. If severe allergic symptoms develop in you or your child, an emergency kit with self-injectable epinephrine such as Adrenaclick or EpiPen is advised.
Of note is the fact that most children outgrow food allergies by early childhood – for instance, up to 90% of peanut, cow’s milk, egg and tree nut allergies subside by age 5 as do other common allergens like fish, soya bean products, wheat or sesame.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, your pediatrician may advise avoiding certain foods linked to an increased risk of food allergy in your infant. When your baby is ready — typically around six months but no earlier than four – introduce smooth peanut butter/paste and well cooked egg gradually into his/her diet.
Consult with your healthcare provider about a safe diet and potential immunotherapy to desensitize the immune system to common food allergens, as well as educate key members of your child’s life about his or her allergy in order to keep exposure low and promote eating a nutritious and balanced diet. Also ensure your child carries his or her food allergy card when dining out so restaurant staff understands its severity.
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