Food Allergies

Food allergies are increasing worldwide. They tend to occur most commonly among infants and children, though they can strike at any age.

The “Big 9” foods account for most reactions: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, fish and shellfish.

Consult an allergist about which foods may cause allergic reactions and carry an autoinjector (Adrenaclick, EpiPen) just in case there are serious reactions.

Symptoms

If you are allergic to food, your immune system mistakenly thinks its protein constituent is harmful and releases chemicals against it – this causes symptoms that can affect various parts of the body simultaneously, from mild to severe reactions. A severe reaction known as anaphylaxis involves sudden drops in blood pressure that make breathing difficult; untreated anaphylaxis could prove life-threatening without immediate treatment with injections of adrenaline (epinephrine).

Symptoms may occur immediately or hours or even days later after eating the offending food, including itching and hives; swelling of lips, tongue, throat or eyes; wheezing or difficulty breathing; a swollen abdomen with stomach cramps or cramps; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea with blood in your stool and overall feeling unwellness are among others.

Your healthcare provider will ask about when and where your symptoms appear, what you have eaten recently, whether symptoms always follow after eating a specific food item, whether other family members also suffer from allergies or asthma, if other allergic reactions such as hay fever, eczema or hives have occurred, as well as whether food allergy testing (via either skin testing or blood analysis) would help diagnose food allergy. In some cases, food allergen testing will also be administered.

Diagnosis

Doctors can detect food allergies through careful evaluation of symptoms and by conducting allergy tests. A medical history review can identify foods which might trigger reactions as well as whether symptoms worsen over time or improve.

Food allergy testing typically includes skin prick and blood tests to measure whether or not antibodies have formed against allergens suspected to cause allergic reactions in your body. Allergy skin tests can typically be completed in 15-30 minutes within a doctor’s office; blood tests for food allergy may not always be reliable in infants and toddlers.

An elimination diet is another essential tool for diagnosing food allergies. This entails restricting any suspected foods for one to four weeks while keeping track of any symptoms in a food diary. An oral food challenge may provide further confirmation, though such testing must only be undertaken under supervision from an experienced allergist and in an office or hospital in case of severe reactions (anaphylaxis).

Provocation tests, in which individuals consume increasing quantities of the suspected food under close observation for any adverse reaction, may also be useful. Allergists recommend carrying an emergency epinephrine medication at all times in case anaphylaxis strikes and requires immediate medical treatment.

Treatment

Food allergies currently cannot be cured; while promising prevention and treatment options are being explored. People living with food allergies must avoid foods which trigger reactions and take medications to manage symptoms. Parents must educate their children about food allergy while making sure emergency treatment options like EpiPen(r) or Auvi-Q(r) are readily accessible.

Food allergies are a type of immune system reaction in which your body misidentifies proteins in certain food as threats, leading to the release of antibodies called immunoglobulin E to combat them. This may result in mild symptoms like itchy lips or mouth, up to more serious ones like wheezing and difficulty breathing.

Symptoms usually begin two hours or more after eating the food; however, in rare instances they can appear several hours later. A severe reaction requires immediate medical assistance.

Food allergies are best managed through avoidance, taking nonprescription antihistamines and carrying an EpiPen(r). You could also try sublingual immunotherapy where small doses of allergen are administered under your tongue daily until tolerance builds up; oral immunotherapy, however, is usually only offered through research centres or allergist practices in Canada.

Prevention

Dietitians or nutritionists can help plan meals that provide all of the required nutrition while still meeting any restrictions you might face; support groups or cookbooks designed specifically for people with food allergies may also prove invaluable.

Food allergies are most often found among infants and toddlers, although they can affect people of any age. Children often outgrow milk, egg and peanut allergies as they grow older; however, allergies to other foods may remain lifelong. People who have a family history of asthma, eczema or allergic reactions such as hay fever are at an increased risk for food allergy development.

Research has demonstrated that giving babies commonly allergenic foods such as peanuts, eggs, cow’s milk (dairy), tree nuts, fish and wheat during their first year can help protect them against future allergy development. Timing and method of introduction must be carefully considered when feeding these allergens to them – schools, out-of-school programs and early care and education settings must educate staff how to recognize and manage food allergy properly; be prepared for emergency situations requiring injection of anaphylaxis medication promptly should they arise; staff should also know when anaphylaxis threatens.