Food allergies effect such a large number of people that it seems most people know at least someone with a food allergy. These allergies can be difficult to live with and even worse they send thousands of people to the emergency room each year; they are also the cause of a few deaths each year.
Some people experience food intolerance instead of a food allergy which can cause confusion; they are different conditions that can cause different reactions.
Many people have an intolerance of certain foods or additives, but this is very different than having a food allergy. An allergy can show within minutes of eating the trigger food, while an intolerance will result in a belated reaction to the food. An allergy is an immune response while an intolerance is more related to improper digestion.
A food allergy is the body's reaction to a substance that it views as possibly harmful. The immune system works to constantly protect our bodies from these things it deems harmful. The allergen is seen by the body as one of these substances so the immune system goes to work trying to protect the body by releasing protective chemicals. One of the chemicals released is histamine, which can affect the nose, eyes, throat, skin or GI tract.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include tingling in the mouth, swelling of the lips, tongue, throat or eyelids, labored breathing, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea or hives. In more severe cases it can include a drop in blood pressure, loosing consciousness, and in extreme cases sometimes death -- these symptoms are signs of anaphylactic shock.
The types of foods that cause allergy reactions can be slightly different in different countries, but there are eight foods that seem to be the leading cause of food allergies in most countries. These big eight include peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, shellfish, seafood, wheat and soy.
Of course the most effective way to treat allergies is to avoid the allergen. With airborne allergies this is difficult, but you might think it would be easy with a food allergy -- that's not always the case. Processed foods can often contain hidden allergens. To help with this problem the United States has required that companies label foods containing any of the eight common allergens.
This labeling has been very helpful for allergy sufferers but it doesn't guarantee the food is completely free of the allergen. In some cases there can be cross-contamination. This happens when a plant produces various foods, one of which is one of the big eight. Even though the machines are cleaned traces of the allergen can remain and be passed to the food.
Luckily most labels now have an allergy section where they list what other types of foods are processed in the same facility, but there are other things food allergy sufferers will need to look for as well. Ingredients that contain allergens can be listed under different names, for example casein and whey are forms of milk protein. Those with a dairy allergy will need to avoid these ingredients.
Anyone with allergies should know the signs of an allergy reaction so they can tell if they may have come in contact with the allergen. They should also know how to treat themselves; this usually includes using an epinephrine injector.
Some people experience food intolerance instead of a food allergy which can cause confusion; they are different conditions that can cause different reactions.
Many people have an intolerance of certain foods or additives, but this is very different than having a food allergy. An allergy can show within minutes of eating the trigger food, while an intolerance will result in a belated reaction to the food. An allergy is an immune response while an intolerance is more related to improper digestion.
A food allergy is the body's reaction to a substance that it views as possibly harmful. The immune system works to constantly protect our bodies from these things it deems harmful. The allergen is seen by the body as one of these substances so the immune system goes to work trying to protect the body by releasing protective chemicals. One of the chemicals released is histamine, which can affect the nose, eyes, throat, skin or GI tract.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include tingling in the mouth, swelling of the lips, tongue, throat or eyelids, labored breathing, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea or hives. In more severe cases it can include a drop in blood pressure, loosing consciousness, and in extreme cases sometimes death -- these symptoms are signs of anaphylactic shock.
The types of foods that cause allergy reactions can be slightly different in different countries, but there are eight foods that seem to be the leading cause of food allergies in most countries. These big eight include peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, shellfish, seafood, wheat and soy.
Of course the most effective way to treat allergies is to avoid the allergen. With airborne allergies this is difficult, but you might think it would be easy with a food allergy -- that's not always the case. Processed foods can often contain hidden allergens. To help with this problem the United States has required that companies label foods containing any of the eight common allergens.
This labeling has been very helpful for allergy sufferers but it doesn't guarantee the food is completely free of the allergen. In some cases there can be cross-contamination. This happens when a plant produces various foods, one of which is one of the big eight. Even though the machines are cleaned traces of the allergen can remain and be passed to the food.
Luckily most labels now have an allergy section where they list what other types of foods are processed in the same facility, but there are other things food allergy sufferers will need to look for as well. Ingredients that contain allergens can be listed under different names, for example casein and whey are forms of milk protein. Those with a dairy allergy will need to avoid these ingredients.
Anyone with allergies should know the signs of an allergy reaction so they can tell if they may have come in contact with the allergen. They should also know how to treat themselves; this usually includes using an epinephrine injector.
About the Author:
Learn more about gluten allergies with our new site on wheat allergy symptoms. You'll learn about associated phenomenon such as celiac depression as well as specific troublesome symptoms like celiac constipation.
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