Protein is one of the important nutrients for the body. However, for people with protein allergies, these nutrients can actually trigger an allergic reaction that interferes with or even risks endangering their lives.
A protein allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts to protein from the food you eat. This condition can cause several skin, digestive, and respiratory symptoms.
Symptoms of a protein allergy can appear slowly or suddenly after eating foods that contain protein. In addition to food, allergic reactions can also occur when there is contact between the skin with proteins in animals and plants or certain objects, such as flour and milk.
This allergic reaction generally affects people with a history of atopic dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis.
Getting to Know Food Sources That Cause Protein Allergies
All foods that contain protein have the potential to cause allergic reactions in protein allergy sufferers. However, there are several types of protein foods that are more common causes of allergies, including:
1. Eggs
Both egg whites and yolks contain proteins that can trigger allergic reactions. Egg allergies can happen to anyone, but they tend to be more common in children. In addition, babies who are still breastfed can also experience protein allergic reactions if their mothers eat eggs.
2. Fish
Fish allergy is one type of protein allergy that often occurs in adults. This allergic reaction is caused by proteins found in certain types of fish, both marine fish and freshwater fish. Fish protein allergy can occur when people with protein allergies eat or come into contact with fish.
3. Seafood
This reaction is caused by proteins found in certain seafood, such as shrimp, crab, oysters, lobster, squid, and octopus. Symptoms can appear immediately or a few minutes after eating this type of seafood.
A person can experience an allergy to one or several types of seafood, but it can also be to all types of seafood.
4. Peanuts
Protein in peanuts can also trigger protein allergies. Various types of nuts that can cause allergies include almonds, pistachios, walnuts, cashews, and peanuts.
5. Milk
Protein in milk or products containing milk can also cause allergies. Milk protein allergy is common in children and is usually caused by cow's milk. Sometimes, the symptoms of a milk allergy can be similar to those of lactose intolerance, even though the two conditions are different.
Protein Allergy Symptoms and Prevention Steps
Symptoms of a protein allergy caused by eating eggs, seafood, dairy, and nuts can range from mild to severe. The most common allergic reactions are:
- Itching and red rash on the skin
- Watery and itchy eyes
- Swollen lips
- Respiratory problems, such as sneezing and nasal congestion
- Digestive disorders, such as nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea
To overcome and prevent protein allergies, there are several ways you can try, including:
Identify and avoid allergens (allergens)
To prevent allergic reactions, it is recommended that you avoid allergenic substances, in this case, foods that contain protein. For example, if you develop an allergy after eating eggs, you should avoid eating eggs and any food that contains eggs.
Read product packaging labels before buying
Don't forget to always read the packaging labels for the food products you buy. Make sure the product does not contain proteins that can trigger an allergic reaction in you.
Taking antihistamines
If you experience a mild allergic reaction as mentioned above, you can take an antihistamine to relieve allergy symptoms. To determine the right type of drug according to your condition, you should consult your doctor's allergy symptoms.
When to go to the doctor?
You need to see a doctor if you have a severe allergic reaction, allergies often recur, or if you don't know what triggers the allergies you are experiencing.
To determine the diagnosis of allergies and look for trigger factors, the doctor will perform a physical examination and allergy tests. After that, the doctor will provide appropriate allergy treatment.
Although rare, protein allergies can also cause a medical emergency called an anaphylactic reaction. This severe allergic reaction can cause symptoms of coughing, dizziness, fainting, weakness, and swelling in the respiratory tract that causes shortness of breath.
If you experience a severe allergic reaction after eating foods that contain certain proteins or are exposed to other allergen triggers, immediately see a doctor for medical treatment.
Given the benefits of good protein for the body, protein allergy sufferers are recommended to undergo immunotherapy or desensitization therapy. This therapy aims to train the body to build a tolerance for protein.
You should also consult a doctor about what steps you can take to treat protein allergies without having to completely avoid protein sources.