Food allergies are a serious, life-threatening issue affecting over 7 million American citizens, with milk, egg, peanut, shellfish, fin fish, tree nuts, wheat, soy and sesame seed being among the most frequent allergenic food sources.
People with food allergies must always avoid their trigger foods and be equipped to use injectable epinephrine (Adrenaclick, Auvi-Q or EpiPen) should they experience any serious reactions.
Symptoms
Food allergies occur when your immune system erroneously misidentifies food proteins as harmful, leading your cells to produce immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies that bind with mast cells located throughout your skin, nose, throat, lungs and digestive tract. When exposed to offending foods again these IgE antibodies release histamine and other chemicals which trigger symptoms including tingling in lips or mouth, itching of skin surface areas or throat or face swelling as well as tightening feelings in chest or abdomen tightening tightening tightening tightening tightening tightening sensations as tightness in chest or abdomen tightening tightening feelings tightness tightening chest tightening feelings tightness tightening tightening tightening feelings tightness in chest/abdomen tightness tightening feelings tightness in chest/abdomen tightening chest/abdominal pressure changes and shock from drops in blood pressure due to sudden drop in blood pressure drop caused by histamine releases histamine into mast cells in skin, nose/throat/lung cells which produce mast cells which produce histamine release histamine release histamine release histamine which then release histamine into our systems release histamine or release other chemicals which causes histamine release from mast cells bind to mast cells bind mast cells binding to mast cells then release histamine which release histamine chemicals that then release histamine chemicals which cause histamine release as well. When these allergies symptoms such as tightness feeling in chest/ abdominal tightening feeling tightness/tight breathing problems/whezing tightness in chest tightening sensation tightness with tightness tightness which leads to wheezing trouble breathing difficulty breathing problems with difficulty breathing difficulties or shock with sudden decrease in blood pressure drops dramatically due to histamine that causes histamine or release hist which then release histamine/chemicals into histamine and chemicals that release histamine/other chemicals leading to release histamine into circulation causing histamine/chemical release histamine to release histamine trigger hist releasing other chemicals release histamine/release etc… and shock followed by drop in chest or abdomen tightening tightening or tightness tightening tightening tightening tightening tightening tightening tightening tightening/wease etc…W/sleezing trouble breathing etc… or shock with drop blood pressure reduction from production…and shock as it’s release which then releases hist thus /other chemicals causing swelling etc etc… releasing other chemicals which release His/other chemicals used up which then release hist/other chemicals releases his/other releases that then subsequent hist release to release more chemicals which release hist release hist release other chemicals which release/ released chemical/. etc may release other release as other symptoms produce his/ releasing tightens by release as release /release his/dropping etc release his/release… or tightness…. (causing tightening feeling tightening tightening feeling tightening tightens etc or tightens/release then trigger symptoms then suddenly or shock with dropped pressure shock then another releases releases……release other chemicals with his or other releases other chemicals etc resulting in shock/release or whe Zs (or shock when reacting or tight causing tightening/w/ tight….W/or blow when/ tight/or whezing tight tight causing shock/whizz… or shock with subsequent shock/drop etc
Most food that cause allergic reactions include dairy, eggs, wheat and soy products; peanut and tree nut allergies are also very prevalent. While milk and egg allergies typically resolve by childhood age, peanut and tree nut allergies tend to persist throughout life – those with family histories of allergies and other autoimmune conditions have an increased risk of food allergies; severe reactions, including anaphylaxis reactions require immediate emergency treatment with an antihistamine like Epinephrine injection kits such as Adrenaclick Auvi-Q EpiPen.
Treatment
No cure exists for food allergy; therefore treatment consists of avoidance. Your doctor may provide medication that helps alleviate symptoms, such as antihistamines. They might also provide an epinephrine auto-injector like EpiPen or Auvi-Q to help manage severe reactions – they will teach you how to use it safely.
Food allergies arise when your immune system misinterprets proteins present in food as threats and releases antibodies against it, leading to symptoms ranging from itchy skin irritation to anaphylaxis – an uncontrollable whole-body response which affects breathing, swelling and drops blood pressure dramatically.
Skin tests can identify a particular food allergen that triggers your reaction. Oral immunotherapy (OIT), a treatment which gradually exposes you to it over months in order to decrease immune reactions, may then be attempted. Researchers funded by NIAID are exploring various OIT approaches such as sublingual immunotherapy and epicutaneous immunotherapy as a possible way of decreasing immune reactions; additionally Xolair (omalizumab) injections may help manage food allergies; researchers funded by NIAID are exploring whether this medication could treat more than one type of allergy altogether.
Precautions
Adults with food allergies typically can reduce reactions by eliminating all potentially allergenic food from their diet. Unfortunately, this can be difficult as allergens are often hidden in other ingredients; milk (sometimes listed as casein or whey) can be found in baked goods and ice cream; water-packed tuna may contain milk; salad dressing or fried foods may even use the same oil used to cook dairy or egg products – therefore careful reading of ingredient labels is crucial.
Some families choose to prepare all of their meals at home to reduce accidental exposure to food allergens. All members of the household should be aware of food allergies, and wash their hands after handling allergenic foods. When dining out, be sure to carry an allergy card that serves as an alert system; servers and chefs may need this card immediately if there’s an adverse reaction; keep two doses of epinephrine handy as prescribed by your physician in case a severe reaction arises unexpectedly – keeping two doses handy is essential for lifesaving reactions!
Cross-Contamination
Persons with food allergies are especially prone to cross-contamination from small amounts of allergens which can trigger symptoms.
Cross contamination occurs when harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses or parasites spread from one food item to another due to improper handling and sanitation procedures. This can occur during food production, transportation, storage or cooking as well as when an individual with infectious diseases that spread via food such as Hepatitis A or E coli touches their regular source foods they prepare themselves.
Restaurant workers who use the same knife and cutting board to prepare raw meat before cutting vegetables for salad may spread E coli bacteria onto those vegetables, potentially making everyone sick.
Some individuals can be especially susceptible to cross-contamination due to compromised immune systems, including young children, the elderly and pregnant women. Consuming tainted food may cause stomach upset and other symptoms such as diarrhea if not anaphylaxis occurs – even without allergic reaction!
Medication
Food allergies cannot yet be cured; therefore those living with food allergies must avoid the foods which trigger their allergic reaction and carry an epinephrine auto-injector in their kit for fast relief in case an anaphylactic attack occurs. Your allergist will provide this medication and show you how to use it.
Children often outgrow most food allergies, such as milk, egg, soy and wheat allergies; however, peanut allergy often remains. People who suffer from hay fever, asthma or eczema are at increased risk for food allergies.
Some allergic reactions can affect the digestive tract, such as diarrhea or vomiting. Others can affect lung functions, like wheezing or coughing. Other symptoms may include dry mouth, hoarse throat, belly pain or cramps, throat tightness and lips/hand tingling as well as sudden drops in blood pressure (called shock). Some food allergies may be confused with food intolerances that do not impact immunity directly such as lactose intolerance or celiac disease.
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