An overview of Food Allergy
What is Food Allergy?
Food allergy is an immune system reaction that occurs soon after eating a certain food. Even a tiny amount of the allergy-causing food can trigger signs and symptoms such as digestive problems, hives or swollen airways. In some people, a food allergy can cause severe symptoms or even a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.
Food allergy affects an estimated 8% of children under age 5 and up to 4% of adults. While there's no cure, some children outgrow their food allergies as they get older.It's easy to confuse a food allergy with a much more common reaction known as food intolerance. While bothersome, food intolerance is a less serious condition that does not involve the immune system.
Causes of food allergy
When you have a food allergy, your immune system misinterprets a particular food or an ingredient in food as being dangerous. Immunoglobulin E (IgE), a reaction produced by your immune system, is released by cells to neutralize the allergen-causing food or food item (the allergen).The following time you consume even a tiny quantity of that food, IgE antibodies detect it and alert your immune system to release histamine and other chemicals into your bloodstream. Some substances produce allergy-related symptoms.
The majority of food allergies are triggered by certain proteins in food such as Crustacean shellfish, such as shrimp, lobster and crab, Peanuts, Tree nuts, such as walnuts and pecans, Fish, Chicken eggs, Cow's milk, Wheat, Soy.
Signs and symptoms of food allergy
An allergic reaction to a specific meal may be uncomfortable but not life-threatening for some people. An allergic food reaction can be distressing and even fatal for other people. Typically, food allergy symptoms appear between a few minutes and two hours after consuming the offending item. In rare cases, symptoms can not appear for several hours. The most common food allergy signs and symptoms include:
1. Hives, itching or eczema
2. Tingling or itching in the mouth
3. Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat or other parts of the body
4. Wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing
5. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
6. Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
Anaphylaxis
In some people, a food allergy can trigger a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This can cause life-threatening signs and symptoms, including:
1. Constriction and tightening of the airways
2. A swollen throat or the sensation of a lump in your throat that makes it difficult to breathe
3. Shock with a severe drop in blood pressure
4. Rapid pulse
5. Dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness
Emergency treatment is critical for anaphylaxis. Untreated, anaphylaxis can cause a coma or even death.
How can I prevent food allergy?
Early exposure
Early introduction of peanut products has been associated with a lower risk of peanut allergy. In a recent study, high-risk infants — such as those with atopic dermatitis or egg allergy or both — were selected to either ingest or avoid peanut products from 4 to 6 months of age until 5 years of age.
Taking precautions
Once a food allergy has already developed, the best way to prevent an allergic reaction is to know and avoid foods that cause signs and symptoms. For some people, this is a mere inconvenience, but others find it a greater hardship. Also, some foods — when used as ingredients in certain dishes — may be well hidden. This is especially true in restaurants and in other social settings.
Complications of food allergy
Anaphylaxis : This is a life-threatening allergic reaction.
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) : Food allergy may cause a skin reaction.