Food Allergy Symptoms: Things to Know

What Are The Symptoms of Food Allergy Intolerance?

     Approximately fifty million Americans have some kind of allergy. (acaa.org) You may know those people, or perhaps yourself. Food allergies are thought to affect 4%-6% of children, and 4% of adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Symptoms of a food allergy are most common in children and infants, but can appear at any age. You can even develop an allergy to the food you eat for years without any problems.

Do you think you have food allergies? A food allergist can evaluate symptoms and find their source.

Food Allergy Definition

A food allergy is a condition in which a certain type of food triggers an abnormal immune response.

This is caused by your immune system mistaking some of the protein in food as harmful elements. The body then launches various protective actions, including releasing chemicals such as histamine, which cause inflammation.

For those of you who have food allergies, exposure to very small amounts of problem foods can cause allergic reactions. Symptoms can occur anywhere from minutes after exposure to hours later, and may include some of the following:

- Hard to breath

- your tongue, mouth, or face is swollen

- Itchy rash

- Low blood pressure

- Diarrhea

- itchy rash

- Vomit

2 Categories of Food Allergies

Non-IgE mediated.

Other parts of the immune system react to certain kinds of foods. This reaction produces symptoms, but does not involve IgE antibodies. You can develop both IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated food allergies.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated.

The symptoms result from your immune system making antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. IgE antibodies react with certain types of food.

Food Allergy Symptoms

Some people who have an allergic reaction to certain foods may feel uncomfortable, but not severe. For others, an allergic reaction to a food can be frightening and even life-threatening.

Symptoms of a food allergy usually develop within a few minutes to 2 hours after eating the trigger food.

Common signs and symptoms of food allergies:

- Itching or eczema

- Tingling or itching in the mouth

- Wheezing, stuffy nose or difficulty breathing

- Swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, face, or other body parts - Dizziness or fainting

- Stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.

What Causes Food Allergies?

In those with food allergies, the immune system perceives certain proteins in the food as harmful substances that can cause illness. It responds by producing IgE antibodies which play a critical role in attacking this protein.

When you eat the same food again, the antibodies are ready, so the immune system reacts by releasing histamine and other chemicals into the bloodstream. These chemicals cause the symptoms of a food allergy.

Histamine causes blood vessels to widen and the skin becomes swollen or inflamed. It also affects nerves, making the skin itch. The nose can produce more mucus, causing itching, burning, and a runny nose.

Managing food allergies in children

No parent wants to see his child suffer. Because fatal and near-fatal food allergic reactions can occur in the home, school, or other places outside the home. Parents of children with food allergies need to make sure their child's school has a written emergency action plan in place.

The plan should provide guidance on prevention and management of food allergies, and should be available at school and during activities such as sporting events and field trips.

If your child has been prescribed an automatic injector, make sure that you and those responsible for supervising your child understand how to use it.

Food Allergy How Long Does It Last

The allergic reaction varies in duration. Sometimes it can take hours to days for it to disappear. If exposure to the allergen continues, the allergic reaction can last longer, such as weeks to months.

With the right treatment, some allergic reactions may take 2 to 4 weeks to go away.

I Have Food Allergy What To Do?

While a GP can treat food allergies, the best practitioner to place a consultation is an allergist or allergy specialist.

This doctor can perform various tests to help find the cause of the allergy. These include blood tests and/or skin pricks. Both tests are meant to determine the level of immunoglobulin E in your system.

In a skin prick test, an allergist places a small amount of a solution that contains a potential allergen and scrapes the surface of your skin to allow for broad penetration of the solution. The doctor observes the reaction of the skin. If the skin develops wheal, then you are most likely allergic to the food.

While a general practitioner can treat food allergies, the best practitioners to consult are an allergist or allergy specialist.

This doctor can perform various tests to help find the cause of the allergy. These include blood tests and/or skin pricks. Both tests are intended to determine the levels of immunoglobulin E in your system.

In a skin prick test, an allergist places a small amount of a solution that contains a potential allergen and scrapes the surface of your skin to allow for broad penetration of the solution. The doctor observes the reaction of the skin. If the skin develops wheal, then you are most likely allergic to the food.

Summary

Food allergies are relatively common in America, and rates are increasing. They occur most frequently in childhood.

The most common food allergies in children are eggs, dairy, and peanuts.

Food allergies range from mild to severe at all ages.

There is no traditional cure for food allergies yet, but oral immunotherapy offers hope, and people can treat symptoms when they arise. Avoiding products containing allergens allows you to prevent reactions.