Allergies occur when your immune system misinterprets food as a threat and responds by sending out antibodies against it. Some individuals experience severe, life-threatening anaphylaxis symptoms that affect breathing and cause blood pressure to drop unexpectedly.
Children may outgrow reactions to milk and eggs, while peanuts, shellfish, fish and wheat allergies often persist throughout life and may prove fatal if consumed by accident.
Symptoms
Food allergies can manifest themselves in a number of ways and affect different parts of the body, ranging from the skin to the digestive tract. They may begin immediately upon eating the offending food or they could appear days later; mild reactions could follow while more serious reactions known as anaphylaxis can require immediate medical assistance to avoid life-threatening outcomes.
Food allergies may mimic other diseases, so health care providers must conduct a careful history review and physical exam in order to establish whether an individual has an allergic response to any given food item. A skin test or blood test may be ordered by your physician as additional ways of diagnosing allergies; skin tests involve applying liquid extracts of potential allergens onto either forearm or back and pricking the skin to see if reddish-raised bumps (wheals) appear while blood tests detect antibodies against allergens in blood samples taken from blood samples taken from blood.
Food allergies can manifest themselves through skin, eye and respiratory problems; in addition to these effects, other symptoms of food allergy include abdominal pain, diarrhea, hives and tightness in the throat or chest that makes breathing difficult. People allergic to fish/shellfish may have an adverse reaction in the digestive tract while those allergic to peanuts/tree nuts may suffer rashes on their hands/feet.
Food allergies are a risk for young children. While reactions to milk, eggs and peanuts often fade as children grow up, allergies to other foods, including soy, wheat, tree nuts or berries may remain. Therefore, those who are sensitive should carry an injectable device containing epinephrine (Adrenaclick or EpiPen) just in case an allergic reaction turns severe and potentially life-threatening.
Diagnosis
Assuming you or your child has food allergies can be both overwhelming and disorienting. With many considerations such as what kind of meals to prepare and which restaurants you’ll be able to visit, a clinician is an invaluable asset when dealing with food allergies. They will listen carefully when hearing of symptoms (when, how often they occur, severity) before conducting tests such as skin prick tests, blood tests or an oral food challenge in order to confirm food sensitivities or allergies.
Skin testing entails applying drops of potential allergens to the back or forearm and looking for itchy bumps at their application sites. Blood tests can measure IgE antibodies that bind with food proteins to identify any allergies; should there be one, IgE will bind and release chemicals which cause symptoms.
Oral food challenges involve gradually increasing amounts of a potential allergen under close medical supervision while closely observing any signs or symptoms of allergic reaction. They should only be performed by experienced allergists in their office or at a food challenge clinic equipped with emergency medication and equipment, since symptoms typically appear within two hours after eating offending foods; food allergies can affect multiple systems within the body and even be life-threatening.
Treatment
First step in diagnosing food allergy: Provide your care team with a detailed history of symptoms experienced after eating certain foods, whether immediately after or over time; share any additional medical conditions like asthma, eczema or digestive conditions that exist; as well as discuss possible solutions that could alleviate their discomfort.
Your doctor can conduct a skin test or blood test to help identify whether you’re allergic to certain foods. Pricking the surface of your skin with small amounts of the allergen to see whether any reaction occurs is also an option, while blood tests provide further confirmation; healthcare professionals will collect a sample from you and will test for antibodies specific for whatever food(s) may be triggering an allergy reaction.
Once you know which foods cause your allergies, avoid them at all costs. If an accident does happen and something contains your allergen, consult with your provider about medicines to help ease symptoms. It is also a good idea to wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace and carry an emergency kit containing adrenaline (epinephrine). At NY Allergy & Wellness we specialize in managing food allergies through multiple treatment options to enhance quality of life while taking control of allergies. Our experts are dedicated to helping our patients regain control over their allergies while improving quality of life through alleviating symptoms and helping our experts are dedicated to helping our patients regain control over them all.
Prevention
Food allergies have no cure; to protect yourself against adverse reactions, the best strategy is avoiding foods that cause you trouble. Consult your allergist on how best to do this and which symptoms to watch out for; severe anaphylaxis symptoms require medical intervention immediately and can even prove fatal; they may prescribe an auto-injector device containing epinephrine (brand name: EpiPen) that they will teach you how to use. Carry it at all times while traveling or visiting family and friends.
Research indicates that introducing allergy-inducing foods to infants prior to their first birthday reduces their risk of food allergies. Consult an allergist when and how much to give your infant.
Food labels should always be read closely in order to make sure the foods you are eating are safe for consumption, and speak to an allergist about getting a food allergy card that can alert servers or others who prepare food of your condition. You should inform schools and daycares of any allergies your child has as well as demand a written plan from them on how best to avoid exposure to certain food groups. Talk with an allergist if there are ways you can obtain essential nutrition if certain foods cannot be avoided altogether.
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