Food Allergies Defined
Have eating peanuts or other food made you sick even to the point of going to the hospital? This could be caused by food allergies. An allergic reaction to food occurs when the body responds immunologically to proteins in the food. The reaction can be minor or it can be very serious as in the case of anaphylaxis which can result in death.
Everyone can respond differently to food allergies. Even one’s bodily systems can respond differently. A person can experience cramps, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. Since these symptoms are similar to other problems it is very important to be diagnosed correctly so that you receive the proper treatment.
Food allergies may manifest as runny nose, scratchy throat, coughing, sneezing, or wheezing in the respiratory system. Shortness of breath or difficulty swallowing may be experienced in more severe reactions. It is strongly recommended that you seek medical attention immediately in the case of more severe reactions.
Food allergies can manifest in the skin as well. Itching in the membranes of the eyes, skin, mouth and throat can occur. In addition, eczema and hives could be the body’s response. Severe reactions such as swelling of the tongue, throat, lips or face should be treated immediately as they could lead to airway restriction.
Even though the connection between mood swings and depression and food allergies is not always easily recognizable, food allergy symptoms may affect your nervous system.
Some folks are predisposed to Immunoglobulin E (IgE) response. This is where antibodies are produced in the body that attack non-disease causing substances which for food allergies it is the protein in certain foods. As the food passes into the digestive tract the body releases IgE which causes other chemicals such as histamine to be released as well. This can cause swelling which will appear as an upset stomach.
An allergist usually does the diagnosis. He will review your history of reactions and could employ a battery of standard tests such as the skin prick and blood tests.
Skin prick tests introduce a tiny amount of different possible allergy causing substances and they look for a skin reaction. While it can determine if the body will have a reaction to a certain type of food allergen, it cannot predict what might happen if a person ingests that food allergen. In blood tests, the level of IgE antibodies is measured. There are certain levels of accepted IgE levels for certain foods and if they are higher than that then a person is considered to have a food allergy.
There are no cures for food allergies. The recommended course of action is clearly avoidance. Always read the labels on foods and at restaurants get more information if necessary. For severe reactions Epipen may be prescribed. It administers epinephrine which can halt the allergic reaction.