Food allergies are an extremely serious threat for some individuals, threatening their lives in numerous ways and even leading to their demise. A severe reaction affecting multiple systems could even prove fatal.
Milk, eggs, peanuts, fish, crustacean shellfish, wheat and soy are the most frequently implicated as culprits in allergic reactions in children; some eventually outgrow these allergies while others may remain so as adults.
Symptoms
Food allergies may manifest themselves with itching, swelling (angioedema), difficulty breathing or sudden decreases in blood pressure (shock). People who are sensitive to certain foods may also have diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting as side effects; food allergies can even cause eosinophilic esophagitis – inflammation of the throat or stomach lining – leading to further complications.
Food allergies typically appear during childhood and will usually go away by themselves as the child grows, however they may develop again later in adulthood.
Food allergies to dairy, eggs, wheat and soy are among the most frequently occurring ones; those to fish or shellfish tend to be rarer.
Skin prick tests can help identify which foods cause allergies in you. In some instances, doctors may ask you to consume small portions of problem foods in their office and observe your reaction; furthermore, in certain instances they may conduct blood tests or allergy challenges in order to properly identify it as the allergenic food source.
As well as avoiding problem foods, individuals with severe food allergies should carry an epinephrine syringe at all times. You and your children should learn about the importance of carrying emergency treatment for allergic reactions in case they arise, and make sure key people such as school staff and babysitters know about it so they can respond appropriately in an emergency situation. Also make sure that any friends or their parents know so they can assist your child if need be.
Diagnosis
Food allergies typically appear in young children; however, they can strike at any age. A healthcare provider will usually conduct allergy testing and review your medical history to diagnose them. People who suffer from classic food allergies have their immune system misidentify certain proteins as harmful and produce antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (IgE). When these allergens are consumed, their IgE antibodies bind with them and release chemicals which cause symptoms quickly within two hours after eating them and affect skin, respiratory tract or gastrointestinal systems.
Blood tests may be useful in diagnosing certain forms of food allergy; IgE antibodies to specific foods can be detected with this approach; however, these results aren’t always accurate and up to 60% of positive test results don’t indicate true food allergy symptoms. Therefore, further testing such as food elimination/challenge experiments or quantitative IgE tests are often necessary in order to accurately identify food allergies.
If you or your child experiences an extreme reaction to any food, call 911 immediately or go directly to an emergency room. An anaphylaxis emergency requires immediate treatment with adrenaline (epinephrine). Healthcare providers will prescribe and instruct on how to use an auto-injector; desensitization therapy may also help.
Treatment
As there is no cure for food allergies, treatment options exist to manage their symptoms. The key to successfully managing an allergy is avoiding foods that trigger it; this will be your only effective defense against an allergic reaction. In case of severe reactions such as anaphylaxis – in which multiple parts of the body can swell up with swelling and difficulty breathing followed by sudden drop in blood pressure – an emergency kit containing autoinjectors such as adrenaline Click (EpiPens) must always be on hand just in case!
Allergies to milk, eggs, soy and wheat typically dissipate over time; however, those to peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish tend to remain lifelong. When trying to avoid foods containing your allergens, read food labels carefully to identify potential sources. When dining out be extra vigilant as waiters may not know the ingredients or preparation methods used; insist your meal be cooked without its allergenic ingredient(s), and ask that an alternative dish be provided if necessary.
Make an appointment to speak to your physician about shared decision-making, which is an approach where both patients and doctors collaborate in making treatment decisions together. It can increase understanding of different treatments so you’re more invested in following your plan of care.
Prevention
Most food allergies can be avoided simply by avoiding those foods to which an individual or child is allergic, with assistance from a dietitian ensuring you get enough vitamins and nutrients in your diet. You could also seek support groups (in-person or online) of people living with the same allergy who can offer tips and recipes.
Consult your allergist about whether an oral food challenge might be beneficial for you or your child. This method provides a safe way to gradually decrease allergy severity; however, it must take place at a doctor’s office or food challenge center with emergency medication available at all times – this usually pertains to peanut, milk, egg and soy allergies but sometimes other allergies as well.
Teach your child about their allergies, how to identify unsuitable food items and respond if someone offers something they should avoid eating. Also make sure that all adults involved with your child – such as teachers and school staff – know about and understand their allergies in order to prevent and treat reactions effectively. Keep epinephrine auto-injectors handy at all times as well as an action plan outlining both allergy list and reaction management instructions in case a reaction occurs.
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