Food Allergies

Food allergy sufferers must read ingredient lists carefully and watch out for potential cross-contamination when dining away from home.

Children typically outgrow allergies to milk, eggs and wheat; however, peanuts, fish and shellfish allergies tend to persist throughout life. You are more likely to develop one if other allergic conditions such as hay fever or eczema run in your family tree.

What is a Food Allergy?

Your immune system’s primary job is to fight germs that make us ill; however, in some individuals their body overreacts and attacks harmless food proteins known as allergens instead. Common examples include milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat and fish but any food may trigger an allergic response.

Food allergy symptoms may involve skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract or cardiovascular system symptoms. Anaphylaxis is always considered a medical emergency that must be addressed immediately with Epinephrine administration.

Food allergies often share similar symptoms with other health conditions, including eczema, asthma and hay fever. A family history of any other allergic reactions such as eczema or asthma increases your chances of food allergy development.

Food allergies can be challenging to live with, but avoiding foods that cause reactions is the only sure way to stay safe. Consult with your physician about how to read labels and locate healthy options; involve a dietitian when planning meals and snacks; seek cookbooks or online support groups specifically dedicated to those living with food allergies; discuss your child’s allergies with teachers, caregivers and parents of his or her friends in order to make sure everyone understands that any reaction could be dangerous;

How is a Food Allergy Diagnosed?

Healthcare providers can diagnose food allergies through examining symptoms and reviewing history as well as performing tests. One such test is called the skin prick test; here, your physician applies drops of suspected allergens (like eggs, peanuts or fish) onto your arm or back before administering a skin prick test to measure a reaction called “wheal”. If a wheal appears, this confirms your food allergy diagnosis.

Blood tests may also aid in diagnosis. They demonstrate how many IgE antibodies a person is producing that target potential food allergens; however, their results tend to be less accurate than skin prick tests.

Sometimes people need to undertake an elimination diet before slowly reintroducing foods in order to detect food allergies. If these tests don’t reveal anything, healthcare professionals may suggest performing a medically supervised oral food challenge where small quantities of suspect foods are eaten under careful observation in order to observe any reactions that might happen as part of this test.

People with food allergies must always carry emergency medication such as adrenaline autoinjectors (Adrenaclick or EpiPen), and make sure family, friends, babysitters and waiters know to use extreme caution when handling foods they prepare or serve. They should be familiar with signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis; such as hives, throat swelling, difficulty breathing or sudden drops in blood pressure which could cause shock (anaphylaxis). By having such warnings in place they can help avoid life-threatening allergic reactions.

What are the Symptoms of a Food Allergy?

Body’s immune system often misidentifies proteins found in some foods as threats and overreacts, producing antibodies against them and overreacting in response. If you eat the allergen again, these antibodies bind with it, releasing chemicals which cause symptoms. Most food allergies develop within minutes to two hours after eating the offending food; symptoms may range from mild tingling in lips or mouth area to difficulty breathing or drop in blood pressure (anaphylaxis).

Some individuals experience itchy eyes, nose or throat after eating raw fruits and vegetables – a condition called oral allergy syndrome. This differs from food allergies as oral allergy syndrome does not present as an issue when cooked produce is eaten; 10-20% of food allergy sufferers develop body-wide symptoms while 1-2% develop life-threatening anaphylaxis reactions.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), caused by food allergies, is not clear. Though they could occur for various reasons such as having a family history of allergies or having other allergic diseases like asthma or eczema. Therefore it’s essential that anyone caring for you or your child including daycare providers, teachers and school staff know about your food allergy so they can help protect against accidental exposure to it and be prepared if an adverse reaction does arise.

What are the Treatments for a Food Allergy?

Food allergies can produce serious reactions, including hives, swelling of the mouth and throat, difficulty breathing, stomach cramps and diarrhea. You should call 911 or get emergency assistance immediately if any part of your body reacts adversely, including difficulty breathing or drop in blood pressure (anaphylaxis).

Food allergies can only be effectively managed by avoiding foods that trigger them. Reading labels and understanding what’s in each food item you eat is helpful in this respect, while keeping a food diary can also be invaluable when trying to identify potential allergenic triggers.

Allergy testing may involve both skin prick and blood tests to detect food allergies, along with medical history review and symptoms assessment. Your physician can make a determination based on these results as well as symptoms and medical history history – you’re more likely to have food allergies if there are existing allergies, asthma or eczema issues in the family.

Food allergies cannot be cured, but treatments exist to relieve symptoms and make avoiding foods easier. Nonprescription antihistamines may help, while your doctor may also provide fast-acting injected medicine (EpiPen, Allerject).