Anaphylaxis, which occurs as a severe allergic reaction to certain food allergies, requires immediate medical attention and those who suffer from them should carry an emergency kit containing self-injectable epinephrine to avoid this scenario.
Children typically outgrow their allergic reactions to milk, eggs, peanuts and wheat as they get older; however, other allergies like those to seeds (fennel, mustard seeds, poppy and sunflower) or shellfish (clam, crab or lobster) often remain.
Symptoms
Food allergies cause a severe, whole-body reaction that includes difficulty breathing, vomiting and low blood pressure (anaphylactic shock). Reactions usually happen within 10-20 minutes of eating the offending food and those with severe life-threatening allergies should carry an emergency kit containing the drug epinephrine (adrenaline).
Other types of food allergies don’t involve IgE antibodies and symptoms can often be milder. An example is oral allergy syndrome, in which itching and swelling appear after eating raw fruits and vegetables, nuts or spices which contain proteins similar to pollen proteins which cause allergic reactions.
Other food allergies affect both the gastrointestinal tract and skin. Cow’s milk protein can trigger infantile enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), an infant condition affecting the lower part of the intestine that usually goes away by three to five years of age.
Some individuals experience both food allergies and digestive diseases simultaneously, such as Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE). EoE is a chronic condition caused by immune cells called eosinophils accumulating in the lining of their esophagus; eating certain fruits, vegetables, nuts or fish often leads to symptoms; EoE may be an even more serious complication of peanut, tree nut, fish or shellfish allergies.
Diagnosis
Healthcare providers will ask about your symptoms and when they started. Foods which cause issues will also be identified to see if other conditions (lactose intolerance, celiac disease or parasitic infections) might also be responsible. They will conduct a physical exam and listen to your lungs for wheezing. Your doctor may order blood tests to detect antibodies produced against any potential allergens; alternatively, skin prick tests can also help identify food allergies. A food allergy test involves placing small amounts of suspected food on your forearm or back and then pricking with a needle to extract an under-skin sample for analysis. Oral food challenge testing may also be conducted, which involves administering increasing doses of the suspected food to be examined for symptoms and under medical supervision, with immediate access to emergency medication such as epinephrine as life-threatening reactions can quickly arise.
Food allergy symptoms typically begin within minutes to two hours after eating the offending food and may include tingling in the mouth and lips, itching in the mouth or throat, swelling of face, tongue or throat swelling, belly pain, diarrhea, nausea vomiting as well as difficulties breathing (constriction or tightening of airways with shock-like drops in blood pressure). Allergic reactions may range from mild to severe reactions.
Treatment
Food allergies have no cure, but medicines can reduce symptoms. Furthermore, they could save lives in cases of anaphylaxis – with doctors typically prescribing medications like epinephrine (an injection of adrenaline) and antihistamines as treatments; additionally they may give out emergency kits with enough supplies to address such reactions until medical assistance arrives.
Diet is the key to treating allergies; to do otherwise can be extremely challenging, particularly if the food in question is one you particularly enjoy eating.
Skin tests and blood tests can both help determine your food allergies. A skin test involves pricking your forearm or back with small amounts of potential allergens to see if you react, while blood tests may detect antibodies in specific foods.
An oral food challenge is an effective and accurate way to diagnose food allergies, administered under medical supervision in an allergy clinic or hospital and given in gradually increasing doses by an expert doctor during this test. You are given increasing amounts of the food suspected to trigger reactions as they watch over you closely.
Researchers are exploring methods of altering how our bodies react to food allergens, known as desensitization or remission induction therapies. Historically, doctors attempted to treat food allergies by regularly exposing those affected with large doses of the offending food over a longer period of time; now known as sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).
Prevention
Avoiding food allergens is the primary way to manage food allergies, while having an action plan and carrying an autoinjector (commonly called EpiPen) at all times is also key to staying safe and managing reactions quickly if they arise. If severe reactions do arise, medical help must be sought immediately.
Most children who develop allergies to milk, eggs, soy, wheat and peanuts in early childhood typically outgrow them by the time they begin school; however, allergies to tree nuts, peanuts or fish are likely to remain lifelong conditions.
Although it remains unknown why some individuals develop food allergies, family history and other symptoms like hay fever or eczema could play a part. Studies show that breastfeeding exclusively for the first three to four months after birth may reduce eczema symptoms but does not alter risk factors associated with food allergies.
Read labels carefully and be wary of hidden ingredients such as natural flavors and spices, which could include natural flavor enhancers. Make sure your doctor and other healthcare providers are aware of your food allergy, particularly if it causes serious adverse reactions like anaphylaxis with symptoms like throat swelling, hives or decreased blood pressure. People with food allergies may wish to wear medical identification bracelets or necklaces so others are aware of their condition in case an emergency arises and offer assistance if necessary.
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