Food allergies are immune system reactions to certain food, that may range from mild to severe reactions. They differ from food intolerance which typically leads to digestive symptoms like bloating and gas.
Food allergies typically develop reactions against eggs, milk, peanuts, wheat and shellfish; while milk and egg allergies typically fade over time; peanut and nut allergies often remain lifelong conditions.
Symptoms
Food allergies are reactions to specific proteins found in food that can result in multiple body systems being negatively impacted, from mild to severe symptoms that vary among people and may even change over time. Food allergies may even pose life-threatening threats such as anaphylaxis if severe reactions such as anaphylaxis occur.
Food allergies typically manifest themselves within several hours after eating the allergenic food; however, some reactions can take up to 24 hours after indulging in certain items that contain lactose such as cheese or yogurt. For instance, stomachaches (bloating and pain) might not occur immediately following consumption of cheese or yoghurt that contains lactose.
Food allergies typically present themselves with symptoms spanning across gastrointestinal, skin and respiratory areas. When it comes to digestive symptoms, you might experience stomach ache, diarrhea, vomiting or constipation while skin-related reactions might include rashes, itching or redness as well as tingling sensations in your mouth, throat or lips – anything swollen or raised is cause for immediate medical attention.
Food allergies may lead to respiratory symptoms like wheezing or shortness of breath. If these symptoms become severe, such as difficulty breathing or blood pressure drops, contact an emergency room immediately; an autoinjector like Adrenaclick or EpiPen may provide necessary treatment.
Diagnosis
Diy Diagnosing Food Allergies incepets with taking a detailed history, your allergist will ask about other symptoms you or your child have had and when the symptoms appeared after eating a suspect food; whether or not these improved with treatments; as well as conducting skin or blood tests looking for antibodies specific foods. A positive SPT or negative IgE blood test does not mean you are allergic; rather it offers clues for diagnosis; your allergist may recommend an oral food challenge to further establish their diagnosis.
An oral food challenge allows doctors to examine for potential allergens by administering small doses into your mouth and monitoring any possible reactions, including wheals at the site of allergy, stomach upset or blood pressure drop (anaphylaxis). The doctor can identify which foods might cause reactions by watching for signs such as wheals near allergy sites; reactions in your stomach or intestines; or an abrupt reduction in your blood pressure – anaphylaxis can all indicate whether someone is allergic.
An oral food challenge must be administered under medical supervision and your physician may recommend you carry an epinephrine shot (Adrenaclick, Auvi-Q or EpiPen). In case of severe reaction, emergency self-treatment with adrenaline should be used immediately for self-medication. If diagnosed as allergic to food items, allergists will prescribe medications to manage future reactions as well as teach you how to read food labels and notify anyone preparing or serving you such as friends, babysitters and school staff of their allergy.
Treatment
No cure exists for food allergies; however, strict avoidance of offending food and the use of medication can help mitigate reactions. Symptoms typically manifest within two hours after eating the item that triggers your allergy; symptoms range from mild to life-threatening reactions. If anaphylaxis develops – an extreme reaction that affects multiple systems simultaneously and could prove deadly – seek emergency medical help immediately.
Your doctor may order a skin or blood test to assess food allergies. They’ll ask about symptoms and perform physical exams – including listening to your lungs if necessary – but if an allergy is suspected, your physician is likely to refer you to an allergist for further assessment.
An allergist may suggest an oral food challenge, in which increasing amounts of the suspected allergen food are gradually fed to you under close observation to determine whether you still have an allergy or whether or not your tolerance has decreased over time. This process helps identify food allergies as well as determine whether previous allergies have subsided.
After receiving a food allergy diagnosis, it’s crucial that you educate yourself on managing it effectively. Read labels carefully and prepare all foods in a safe environment to minimize exposure to allergens. If you live with other people, discuss their diets to ensure no new allergens enter your home environment. Additionally, it may be prudent to carry an epinephrine kit just in case any allergic reactions unexpectedly arise.
Prevention
Food allergies result from your immune system misidentifying certain foods as potentially harmful, which can trigger reactions in your airways, stomach and intestines, skin or cardiovascular system ranging from mild to severe or even potentially lethal reactions known as anaphylaxis.
Food allergies may increase risk if another family member has had them or asthma, eczema and/or allergies such as hay fever are prevalent. Children may also be more likely to develop food allergies if one or both parents already suffers from them.
Food allergies have no cure, but strict avoidance of offending foods may reduce symptoms and medication can help relieve them as well as treat or prevent severe reactions such as anaphylaxis. Your provider can prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector, which you or your child should keep handy at all times as severe allergic reactions can happen quickly and be unpredictable.
The major allergy societies now recommend that infants be introduced to common allergenic foods (egg, cow’s milk [dairy], peanuts, tree nuts, fish, crustacean shellfish, soy and wheat) starting around six months of age while continuing breastfeeding if possible. Studies have demonstrated that this approach reduces food allergy risk compared to delaying introduction. Be sure to incorporate this new recommendation into well-child visits for optimal results! This change from previous guidelines requires special attention from all involved.
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