Food allergies can be life-threatening; therefore, the best way to combat them is by avoiding foods which trigger them.
Milk, egg, soy, wheat and peanuts are among the most frequently allergenic foods for children, often lasting their entire lives; others include seafood and crustacean shellfish, sesame seeds and fruits such as kiwi.
Symptoms
Food allergies occur when your immune system misidentifies certain proteins found in food as threats, and releases antibodies to neutralise them. This triggers symptoms including hives, swelling, itching and trouble breathing (anaphylaxis), as well as difficulty with breathing or sudden drop in blood pressure (anaphylaxis). Food allergies can impact various parts of the body and may even become severe without prompt treatment.
Food allergies are very common, most frequently to milk, eggs, wheat, soy and peanuts. Allergies to these foods typically develop early on but can occur at any age; most children eventually outgrow their reactions; however allergies to fish, shellfish, peanuts and tree nuts often persist for life.
Food allergies vary between individuals and can manifest within minutes or hours of eating the offending food, depending on your body and other medical factors, like eczema or asthma. They may be mild or severe reactions depending on how much of it you ate, how often, and whether other medical issues like these exist (for instance eczema or asthma).
People with food allergies should carry an epinephrine autoinjector such as an EpiPen or Adrenaline Nasal Spray as severe reactions can be life-threatening and require medical assistance immediately. Traveling or going to school/work should always ensure this medication is with them at all times if they have food allergies.
Diagnosis
People with “classic food allergy” are allergic to proteins in foods which their immune systems identify as foreign and harmful, leading them to produce antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (IgE), which attach to these proteins and cause release of chemicals that result in symptoms. Reactions usually manifest within two hours after eating offending foods, or may manifest on contact with skin (known as contact dermatitis). Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES), is another food reaction. Diagnosing it is often difficult due to symptoms that can mimic other illnesses like viral or bacterial infections or heartburn/diarrhea.
Food allergies can be life-threatening, particularly if more than one part of the body is involved and reactions escalate rapidly. Therefore, it’s essential that patients seek a diagnosis from an allergist and follow up regularly thereafter.
Food allergy testing typically uses skin tests. An allergist applies liquid extracts of suspected food to your child’s arm or back and pricks the skin to see if reddish raised spots (known as wheals) appear. While skin testing can provide quick results, blood testing provides more accurate results; when necessary an allergist may suggest an oral food challenge whereby very small quantities of the suspected food is eaten under medical supervision in order to accurately detect true food allergies.
Treatment
Food allergies should always be managed by avoiding those foods which trigger symptoms, taking great care to read labels and scrutinize ingredient lists. If your allergy is particularly severe, however, your physician may advise carrying an epinephrine auto-injector – an emergency drug capable of stopping potentially life-threatening reactions – just in case an attack should happen.
Food allergies typically present within hours after indulging in allergenic food items. They can manifest themselves across your body – including mouth, intestines, throat, stomach, eyes and ears as well as skin – with symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening reactions such as anaphylaxis.
Food allergies may come and go over time; others such as milk, egg and peanut allergies tend to remain permanent. People with food allergies should always exercise caution when dining out as wait staff and kitchen staff may be unaware of what ingredients go into a dish.
As research advances, new approaches to treating food allergies are emerging. Desensitization therapies could increase tolerance by gradually increasing exposure to allergens; however, this treatment option remains experimental and may not be readily available to everyone. A registered dietitian can assist in planning a balanced diet while avoiding allergens; special cookbooks or joining support groups tailored specifically towards your allergy may also prove helpful.
Managing Your Allergies
Allergies can make life challenging, but with guidance from an allergy specialist they can be managed effectively. Avoiding food you are allergic to as well as taking medicine for both managing symptoms and emergencies are key steps.
At your visit, your doctor may advise that you keep a food and symptoms diary in order to pinpoint what triggers your symptoms. They might also suggest performing a food challenge test which involves eating small quantities of an allergen under medical supervision in order to see whether you experience any reactions.
If you have been diagnosed with a food allergy, be sure to read labels and ingredients on packaged food to make sure they do not contain your allergen. In addition, notify those responsible for food preparation (such as chefs, waiters and nannies) of your allergy in order to have them avoid serving foods containing it.
People who must be extra careful at mealtime now have more options than ever to keep themselves safe when dining out. Apps and websites exist that help find allergy-safe foods to stock your pantry with, while many have discovered go-to restaurants or meals they trust for dining out with allergies. It becomes part of their everyday life routine.
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