Food allergy is generally an immune system reaction occurring after eating a specific food. Even a small amount of allergy-causing diet can trigger symptoms and signs like digestive issues, swollen airways, and hives. In many people, food allergy will cause adverse symptoms or a life-threatening response known as anaphylaxis.
Food Allergies
Food allergy can affect almost 6 to 9 per cent of children under three and nearly 3 per cent of adults. If you don’t cure it through food allergens testing, you may outgrow the disease as you get older. Many people confuse it with a common reaction that is usually known as food intolerance.
Symptoms of Food Allergy
A best allergic reaction to a specific food may be painful but not severe. For some people, the food allergy reaction can be terrifying and life-threatening. Food allergy symptoms generally begin within one minute to at least two hours after you have eaten the food.
The most common food allergy symptoms and signs include:
- Itching, eczema, or hives
- diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, and abdominal pain
- Lightheadedness, fainting, and dizziness
- Trouble breathing, nasal congestion, and wheezing
- Itching and tingling in the mouth
- Swellings of face, lips, throat, tongue, and parts of the body
Anaphylaxis
A food allergy can stimulate some specific allergic reactions termed anaphylaxis.
It can also cause symptoms and signs involving:
- Tightening and construction of usual airways
- Shock with the diverse drop-in different blood pressure
- Rapid pulse
- Dizziness and loss of consciousness
It would be best if you did emergency treatment is crucial for anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can ultimately result in coma and even death.
When to see a doctor
You have to do food allergen testing if there are food allergen symptoms after you have done eating. Whenever an allergic reaction occurs, opt to see a doctor. That will also help the doctor to diagnose the problem.
Immediately seek the treatment if you get any symptoms and signs of anaphylaxis like
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Difficult breathing
- Severe drop in your blood pressure
- Constriction of airways that makes it difficult to breathe
- Shock with a severe drop in blood pressure
- Rapid pulse
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
Causes
When you get a food allergy, the immune system identifies that a particular substance or food is harmful. In this response, the system may trigger the cells to release an antibody termed IgE to compensate for the food substance or allergy-causing food.
The next time you eat a little amount of the same food, IgE antibodies will signal the immune system to deliver a histamine chemical into the bloodstream. These chemicals will cause allergies.
In adults, the food allergies are triggered by specific proteins in:
- Shellfish, lobster, shrimp, or crab
- Tree nuts like pecans or walnuts
- Peanuts
- Fish
In children, stimulation of food allergies occurs by proteins such as:
- Eggs
- Soy
- Tree nuts
- Peanuts
- Cow’s milk
- Wheat
Pollen-food disease syndrome
You can also term it oral allergy syndrome; it usually affects people suffering from hay fever. In this situation, specific vegetables or fresh fruits and spices can stimulate an allergic reaction causing the mouth to itch or tingle. In severe cases, the effect will ultimately cause swelling of your throat or even cause anaphylaxis.
Proteins in specific vegetables, spices, vegetables, and particular fruits cause similar allergy reactions, causing proteins found in particular pollens. It is termed cross-reactivity.
Treatment
Two main types of medication can be used to reduce the signs of an allergic response to foods
1. Antihistamines
Antihistamines will work by preventing the results of histamine for many symptoms of a food allergic reaction.
Many antihistamines are obtainable from your pharmacologist without medicine. Moreover, you can keep it at home in case any emergency occurs. Non-drowsy antihistamines are favoured.
2. Adrenaline
Adrenaline is reliable as it narrows the blood vessels to prevent various effects of external blood pressure, thus opening up the airways to ease your breathing difficulties.
You will be provided with an auto-injector of adrenaline for use in emergency conditions if the child is at high risk of anaphylaxis or had a previous history of anaphylaxis. Please read the manufacturer’s directions that come along with the auto-injector correctly and instruct the child on the best way to use it.
Conclusion | Food Allergies
Food allergic reactions can be incredibly severe and devastating. Therefore proper prevention and treatment are necessary. Here in this article, you will come to know everything about a food allergic reaction. Read out the article carefully to get the most benefits from it.
