What You Need To Know About Food Allergies

Food allergy is an immune system response that occurs after a person consumes certain foods or substances. Even eating small amounts of allergy-causing foods can trigger allergy symptoms, such as digestive problems and swelling of the airways.

Food allergies affect at least 8% of children under 5 years of age and as many as 4% of adults. Although no medication can cure it completely, many food allergies in children slowly disappear with age.

Causes of Food Allergy

When someone has a food allergy, his immune system mistakenly identifies certain foods or substances as harmful. In response, the immune system stimulates cells to release an antibody known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) to neutralize the allergen.

The next time you eat a food that triggers an allergy, even in the smallest amount, IgE antibodies will detect it and signal the immune system to release histamine and other chemicals into the bloodstream. These chemicals are responsible for the appearance of allergy symptoms. Most food allergies are triggered by proteins found in shrimp, lobster, crab, nuts, fish, chicken eggs, cow's milk, wheat, and soy.

Food Allergy Symptoms

Allergy symptoms usually appear within a few minutes to 2 hours after a person eats certain foods. The most common signs and symptoms of a food allergy include the following:

1. Feeling an itchy sensation in the mouth area.
2. Swelling of the lips, face, tongue, throat, or other body parts.
3. Wheezing, stuffy nose, or shortness of breath.
4. Skin rash, hives, or eczema.
5. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
6. Dizziness, feeling weak, or fainting.

Allergy symptoms experienced by each person can vary.

Anaphylaxis

In some people, allergies to certain foods can trigger a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This condition can cause life-threatening symptoms, such as:

1. Respiratory narrowing.
2. Swelling of the throat accompanied by a lump sensation that makes it difficult to breathe.
3. Shock accompanied by a drastic drop in blood pressure.
4. Strong pulse.
5. Dizziness, headache, and fainting.

Food Allergy Risk Factors

The following are several factors that can increase a person's risk of food allergies:

Have a family history of asthma, eczema, skin itching, or other allergies, such as dust allergies.

1. Having allergies other than food, such as dust or dander allergies, also increases the risk of food allergies. In addition, someone who has an allergy to an allergy to one particular food also has a risk of allergies to other foods.
2. Children, especially infants to toddlers, have a higher risk of food allergies. Some food allergies will disappear as you age and the digestive system matures.
3. Usually, someone with asthma and a food allergy triggers more severe symptoms.

Allergy to pet dander is a form of allergy that is often found besides food allergies.

If someone already has a food allergy, the best way to prevent an allergic reaction from occurring is to identify and avoid the cause. Even though it sounds easy, this can be a challenge, especially when going to a restaurant or banquet. Having a record of food allergies and bringing your own food from home might be a solution, especially for children.

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Reference:

Mayo Clinic Staff. (2021). Food allergy. [online]. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20355095