Food allergies: What you need to know?
Food allergies occur when the immune system perceives certain proteins as harmful pathogens and therefore reacts negatively to combat them. Here’s how the process goes: when the system comes in contact with the protein and wrongly identifies it as a bacterium or a virus, an immune response is set off.
Antibodies called Immunoglobulin E [IgE] are produced which attack the protein when the response is triggered in the future. I.e., when the person ingests the same food again, the immune system is fully prepared. It reacts by releasing histamine and other chemical substances into the bloodstream. It is these substances that cause the symptoms of food allergies. Common food allergens that we should be cautious of include eggs, peanuts, milk, nuts like cashews and hazelnuts, wheat, shellfish, and soybean.
Symptoms of food allergies are -
• Tingling or burning sensations in mouth and lips
• Swelling of face
• Skin rashes like hives
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Wheezing
• Running nose and teary eyes
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction to venom, food, or medication. The majority of cases are the side effect of a bee sting or eating foods known to cause allergies, such as peanuts or tree nuts.
Its symptoms include:
• Rapid decrease in blood pressure
• Nausea
• Rashes like hives and itchy skin
• Fainting or lightheadedness
• Tachycardia i.e., fast heartbeat
• Difficulty in breathing and other respiratory issues, such as wheezing
• Swelling of lips, face, mouth, and throat
• Sneezing
• Painful and itchy throat
• Running nose and teary eyes
Diagnose and Treatment
If you experience an allergic reaction, you must see a doctor immediately after. In fact, from proper diagnose, it is advised to see the doctor while the reaction is still occurring. Three major tests can help your physician in diagnosing an allergy. A popularly used test for food allergy is the Skin Prick Test. The medical professional places the food product [in diluted form] on the patient’s arm and pricks the skin lightly. If swelling occurs or the skin becomes itchy, it becomes evident that the patient is allergic. Also, the doctor asks you to maintain a food diary in which you must regularly write down whatever you read and whether or not you experience any symptoms. A blood test is another common indicator of food allergy.
Treating a food allergy is a tricky business. Most people just avoid eating foods that don’t suit them. However, these days, many patients are trying Oral Immunotherapy. It involves eating small amounts of the allergen regularly so as to increase the threshold. While this treatment isn’t yet feasible for most food allergens, Food and Drug Administration [FDA] has approved it for peanut allergies. For emergencies in case of anaphylaxis, intake of antihistamines and epinephrine is advised.
Tips for allergy prevention
As far as food allergies are concerned, prevention seems to be the only cure in most cases
There are many precautions that you can take to prevent yourself from coming in contact with allergic foods. For instance, you must read labels of food products before buying them. Also, if you are susceptible to anaphylaxis, always carry an epinephrine autoinjector on your person. If you visit a restaurant, make sure to inform the server regarding your allergy.
Furthermore, your child has an allergy, inform all the key people he/she interacts with. Make a proper meal plan and stick to it.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that dealing with allergies can be absolutely tiresome. While many patients outgrow allergies once they reach adulthood, others have to live with them their entire lives. Hence, it’s better to just prevent the food allergy from aggravating. By taking the above-mentioned steps, you can safeguard yourself from food allergies and remain healthy and happy.
