Food Allergies

Food allergies occur when your immune system mistakenly recognizes certain food proteins as threats and overreacts, often with immediate results like hives, swelling, an upset stomach and breathing difficulties. Without immediate treatment with epinephrine injection, severe reactions could even become life-threatening.

Once diagnosed, most people with food allergies manage them by avoiding foods to which they’re sensitive. Read labels carefully and ask waiters or chefs what ingredients may be present in what you are ordering.

What are Food Allergies?

Food allergies are a potentially life-threatening medical condition affecting 33 million Americans. Food allergies occur when your immune system mistakes certain proteins in food as harmful and produces antibodies against them, which cause various symptoms ranging from mild to severe reactions when exposed. Even small amounts of an offending food can trigger an allergic response which must be quickly addressed with emergency doses of epinephrine for safe survival.

Food intolerance and sensitivity differ from food allergies in two key ways. First, intolerance occurs when your digestive system struggles to break down certain foods properly and the resultant symptoms include gas, diarrhea and stomach ache; it does not involve the immune system. Food sensitivity is sometimes confused with allergies because its symptoms can resemble those of food allergy; for example headache after eating chocolate or bloating after drinking milk are quite similar; in rare instances people react adversely to chemicals found in certain food like dyes or preservatives in such instances people may react adversely against certain chemicals present within foods that trigger adversely effects in these individuals.

Food allergies have no known source, though they tend to run in families and most commonly appear during early childhood. Studies indicate that children of parents who already suffer from food allergies are more likely to develop them themselves; furthermore, their risk may increase with other allergic diseases like eczema or hay fever as well as more risks for anaphylaxis.

Symptoms of Food Allergies

Food allergy symptoms vary and can have an impactful impact on various parts of the body, from mild itchy mouth and lips (oral allergy syndrome) to life-threatening breathing problems and shock (anaphylaxis). Most allergenic foods cause symptoms in different organs: skin, digestive tract and respiratory tract – some individuals even experience all three simultaneously! Reactions can occur immediately upon ingestion such as when young infants begin weaning solid foods from milk-soy-wheat blends such as baby cereal. Furthermore, severe GI reactions called FPIES are known for triggering skin, digestive tract and respiratory tract reactions associated with milk soya-wheat blends; which typically accompany milk soya wheat/cereal food combinations which often leads to skin or other reactions; it could even occur later when being introduced gradually into diet.

Most food allergies are caused by immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated reactions, but non-IgE related reactions may also play a significant role. Non-IgE food allergies may even be more severe.

Your physician can diagnose food allergies by gathering your family and medical history, performing a physical exam and running blood or skin tests to detect antibodies against specific food proteins. You can assist them by explaining when, why and for how long these symptoms appear after eating a particular food. It is also wise to carry with you an adrenalin autoinjector such as Adrenaclick, Auvi-Q or EpiPen in case a severe reaction arises – this may save your life!

Diagnosis of Food Allergies

Food allergies can be difficult to identify. Skin and blood tests are two ways of doing so, measuring immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies for specific foods; however, this doesn’t guarantee an adverse reaction will happen and doesn’t indicate its severity.

Food allergies occur when our bodies mistake the protein found in that food as harmful invaders and produce antibodies against it, known as IgE antibodies. When eaten again, these bind with IgE antibodies and cause release of chemicals which trigger symptoms that affect our skin, respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract or even heart – in severe cases this reaction can even be life threatening and need emergency medical treatment immediately.

Find an allergist who specializes in food allergies is essential in diagnosing food allergy symptoms and exposure history, and performing tests to ascertain a food allergy diagnosis. A good allergist will likely suggest an oral food challenge with increasing doses of the suspected food given under strict medical supervision to test your reaction; they may also provide an emergency epinephrine autoinjector such as Adrenaclick or EpiPen to treat an acute reaction if necessary.

Treatment of Food Allergies

Millions of Americans suffer from food allergies. But with help from a trained healthcare provider, relief may be at hand. A healthcare provider will conduct tests to pinpoint your allergy triggers and prescribe medicines to relieve symptoms.

Food allergies occur when your immune system mistakenly misidentifies certain proteins found in certain food as dangerous germs and overreacts, producing antibodies which bind to two types of cells and release chemicals that trigger symptoms in various tissues of the body. Common allergenic foods are milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soya beans and shellfish – with family history playing an influential role and people with other allergies like eczema or hay fever having an increased risk for food allergies as well.

Once diagnosed, make sure all family members, particularly caregivers and school staff, understand your allergy. Role-play with your child so they know what to do if someone offers something they are allergic to; plan for vacations or meals away by packing safe foods with you or making arrangements with restaurants that can accommodate allergies.