food allergy or aA food allergy is an allergic reaction that appears after eating certain foods. Symptoms can include nausea and vomiting, swelling of the face, shortness of breath, and loss of consciousness.
A food allergy occurs when the immune system perceives a protein in food as a threat to the body. In response, the body releases chemicals that trigger an allergic reaction.
Reactions arising from food allergies are often mild. However, in some cases, food allergies can be life-threatening. Therefore, it is important to know how to prevent and relieve allergic reactions that arise.
Food Allergy Symptoms
In some people, food allergies can cause the sufferer to feel uncomfortable, although not too severe. Symptoms often appear within a few minutes to two hours after consuming the allergenic food.
Symptoms of food allergies that appear are the same as allergic reactions in general, namely:
- Runny nose or stuffy nose
- Itchy skin rash
- Itching in the mouth, throat, eyes, and other parts of the body
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (angioedema)
- Difficulty swallowing and speaking
- Wheezing or wheezing
- Hard to breathe
People with food allergies can also experience symptoms in the digestive tract, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms can also be caused by a food intolerance.
When to go to the doctor
Check yourself or your child to the doctor if the above symptoms appear after eating certain foods. Tell your doctor about any recently eaten food.
In some people, a food allergy can trigger a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Give an injection of epinephrine and go to the ER immediately if symptoms of anaphylaxis appear, such as:
- Heart beat
- Dizziness and dark vision
- A cold sweat
- Loss of consciousness
Consult your pediatrician about the possibility of your child having allergies and what to watch out for if your family has an allergic disease, such as food allergies, asthma, or allergic rhinitis.
Allergy Causes
A food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly perceives the protein in certain foods as a threat to the body. In response, the body releases antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE), to neutralize the allergy triggers (allergens) in the food.
When a person returns to eating these foods even if only a little, IgE will stimulate the body to release a chemical compound called histamine into the bloodstream. Histamine is what causes allergy symptoms.
Food allergies usually occur since childhood, but sometimes also appear when a person is an adult. Foods that cause allergies tend to be different in adults and children.
In adults, allergic reactions can occur after eating the following foods:
- Fish
- Shell
- Shrimp
- Crab
- Nuts
While in children, common foods that cause allergies include:
- Peanut
- Wheat
- Soya bean
- Egg
- Cow's milk
It is not known why in some cases, new food allergies appear in adulthood.
Factor rfood allergy risk
Food allergies are more at risk for people who suffer from other allergies, such as allergic rhinitis or asthma. People who are allergic to one type of food are also more prone to suffering from allergies to other types of food.
Other factors that can increase a person's risk of developing a food allergy are:
- Under five years old
- Have a family history of allergies, such as hives or asthma
Food Allergy Diagnosis
To determine a food allergy, the doctor asks the patient's symptoms, what foods were consumed before the symptoms appeared, as well as the patient's and family's medical history. After that, a physical examination will be performed to distinguish the symptoms of a food allergy from those of other conditions.
Next, the doctor will run allergy tests which include:
Tice allergy skin
In a skin allergy test, the patient's skin is pricked with a small needle. After that, the doctor will put a small amount of protein in the food suspected of causing allergies to the pierced skin area to see the reaction.
blood test
A sample of the patient's blood will be taken to measure the level of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE). If the level of IgE associated with certain foods is high enough in the patient's blood, it means that the patient has an allergy to that food.
Tfood ice
Patients will be asked to avoid the type of food that is suspected to be the cause of the allergy for 1-2 weeks. If the patient is allergic to this type of food, then during that time the patient will not experience an allergic reaction, and will experience it again when the food is consumed again.
Doctors can also ask patients to eat foods that are suspected of causing allergies in small portions, then the portions are increased slowly. If no allergic reaction occurs during the test, the patient is allowed to eat the food.
Food Allergy Treatment
The best way to deal with a food allergy is to avoid the food that causes the allergy. However, a person may eat these foods accidentally. When this happens, there are several medications that can be used to relieve symptoms.
If the symptoms that appear are mild, the patient can use an over-the-counter antihistamine. If the symptoms are still felt, the patient can go to the doctor to be given an antihistamine with a higher dose.
If symptoms of anaphylaxis appear, the patient must be taken to the hospital emergency room to be given an injection epinephrine. After the symptoms disappear, the doctor will ask the patient to always carry the injection with him.
It is important to understand how to use the injection epinephrine, if the food allergy symptoms you experience are severe enough. In addition, also teach people who are often close to you, such as family or colleagues, about how to use the injection if you have anaphylaxis.
Make sure to replace epinephrine before the expiration date, and replace the syringe when it is no longer functioning properly.
Food Allergy Complications
In severe cases, food allergies can cause anaphylaxis, which is an allergic reaction that can be dangerous. Anaphylaxis can last minutes or even seconds after exposure to the allergen.
Food Allergy Prevention
How to prevent a food allergic reaction is to avoid foods that can trigger allergies. This may be a little inconvenient for sufferers, but still needs to be done to avoid more serious conditions.
Take the following steps to prevent a food allergy reaction:
- Read what content is contained in each food package that you want to consume.
- Bring allergy-free snacks if you want to leave the house. This will help if you are having a hard time finding allergy-free foods
- If you want to eat at a restaurant, tell the waiter or cook about what foods are not allowed to be consumed.
- Make sure the food purchased outside is unprocessed and served in a place that was previously used to process allergenic foods.
- In infants, the introduction of food allergens, such as peanuts, early on can reduce the risk of developing these food allergies later in life.
You will also need to wear a special bracelet that states that you have a food allergy. This bracelet will help when an allergic reaction occurs and you have difficulty communicating. If the food allergic reaction is severe enough, talk to your doctor about the need to bring an injection epinephrine.