Food allergies are reactions in which your immune system mistakenly detects as potentially dangerous. They may cause symptoms like hives, swelling and an upset stomach; in severe cases they can even lead to life-threatening anaphylaxis reactions.
An allergist can diagnose food allergy by conducting an exam and asking pertinent questions; in addition, they may conduct skin testing as well.
Symptoms
Food allergies are a medical condition in which the immune system – normally responsible for protecting us against disease and infection – misidentifies certain proteins present in food as threats, leading to symptoms ranging from minor ones (tingling in the mouth) to more serious ones like life-threatening respiratory distress or shock (anaphylaxis).
Food allergies occur when your immune system releases antibodies in response to perceived threats, binding with cells in your body to release chemicals that create symptoms that are often noticeable within two hours after eating the food that triggers it. Common reactions can include tingling or itching in the mouth; swelling of lips, face or other parts of body; wheezing difficulty; belly pain or diarrhea; nausea or vomiting and, most seriously anaphylaxis can even prove fatal if left untreated quickly with adrenaline-based treatments like Epinephrine (Adrenaline).
Your doctor will ask you and/or your child to describe symptoms and conduct a physical exam, while also gathering background information such as allergies and health problems in the family, especially asthma. Most commonly used for diagnosing food allergies is skin testing – where an healthcare provider places extracts of suspected foods onto your arm and pricks you lightly before checking the result against red blotchy areas; additional blood testing may also be conducted by your provider to detect antibodies to certain foods.
Diagnosis
If you or your child suffer from food allergies, strict avoidance of offending foods is crucial in order to minimize symptoms and keep symptoms under control. Carefully read ingredient labels and learn about foods containing your allergen. Food allergies typically affect skin, respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract symptoms; IgE-mediated reactions cause antibodies in your immune system to react against the food “threat.”
At your first appointment with an allergist, discuss both your symptoms and medical history (including any previous allergies or asthma). Your care team may ask about which foods may cause issues for you as well as when and how your symptoms appear following certain foods consumption and whether other people experience similar reactions from these same products.
At a skin test, your provider places drops of various food allergens onto the top layer of skin and pricks it with tiny needles to determine which triggers an allergic response in you. If this causes any type of reaction – for instance a bump or hive- to form where they were applied- your provider can then examine this reaction to identify which food caused an adverse reaction in you.
Radioallergosorbent (RAST) tests may also be administered; these tend to be less accurate and can sometimes give false negative results in very young children. Your allergist may order an oral food challenge with increasing amounts of your suspected allergen under careful observation for signs of reaction – this procedure must only be carried out by experienced allergists at doctor’s offices or food challenge centers equipped with emergency medication and equipment.
Treatment
Allergy treatment includes avoiding foods that trigger symptoms, and carrying an emergency kit with self-injectable epinephrine such as Adrenaclick, Auvi-Q or EpiPen. When people are at higher risk for severe allergic reactions from certain foods, their doctor may also prescribe medications to manage any potential reactions.
If you suspect an anaphylactic reaction (anaphylaxis), seeking medical help as soon as possible should be your top priority. Dial 911 immediately and visit your physician who may take a detailed medical history and physical exam as well as question you on any foods which have caused reactions in you as well as check for signs of trouble breathing in your lungs.
Food allergy symptoms usually begin within minutes or hours after eating the offending food, though they can sometimes take hours or even days to develop. They range in severity from mild to life-threatening; but most often result from an IgE-mediated food allergy (where your immune system produces antibodies against it) while some individuals may exhibit both IgE and non-IgE related allergies simultaneously.
An antibody known as immunoglobulin E can help your doctor measure how your immune system reacts to certain foods by testing for antibodies called immunoglobulin E. To accurately diagnose IgE-mediated food allergies or ascertain if one has outgrown itself, your allergist can perform an oral food challenge in which increasing amounts of suspected allergen are eaten under close observation until any reactions arise – an effective and straightforward way to do this!
Prevention
Food allergies occur when your immune system, which typically protects against infection, incorrectly identifies certain proteins found in foods as harmful and attacks them as threats to health. Symptoms may range from mild to severe; in extreme cases anaphylaxis could become life-threatening.
Many children outgrow allergies to cow’s milk, eggs, wheat and soy as they age; however, peanuts, tree nuts and fish tend to remain lifelong triggers. Therefore, it is highly recommended that infants are exposed to common allergenic foods – including peanuts, eggs, fish, dairy and tree nuts – early on as part of a varied diet; breastfeeding mothers can continue if possible for best results.
Education of both children and adults living with food allergies is also critical in order to help avoid accidental exposure to allergens. Maintain a kitchen supply of safe foods while carefully reading labels can reduce risks of accidental exposure; get support from relatives, babysitters or school staff in helping them understand how they can prevent an allergic reaction.
Emergency medication should always be carried, as food allergy symptoms such as trouble breathing or faintness can be life-threatening if left untreated promptly. Talk with your doctor and ensure all family members and caregivers know about your allergy action plan; especially be wary when eating out – make sure restaurants know about your child’s allergy so they can take precautions against accidental exposure.
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