Food allergy is the reaction of our immune system to the intake of certain kinds of food items. Food intolerance is often confused as food allergy. A food allergen is responsible for inciting allergy in the human body. In today’s world, food allergy is on the rise not only in adults but also in children in the age group of less than 3 years. Food allergies result in almost 200 deaths every year in the US and frequent emergency visits to the hospitals.
Food allergy
The immune system of our body reacts to certain food content, which is characterized by some symptoms. These allergic reactions occur die to the presence of allergens in food. Allergens are proteins that defy the intestinal digestive enzymes, the heat and even the acid present in stomach. This enables them to enter the main bloodstream into the target organs by invading the gastrointestinal lining, resulting in allergic reaction throughout the body.
Why food allergy
Food allergy involves an antibody called immunoglobulin E (it flows through the blood) and Mast cell (present in all tissues including skin, nose, throat and gastrointestinal tract). This way the immune system helps the reaction to take place. Food allergies are also hereditary; people hailing from such families have greater chances of being allergic to food, feather and even drugs.
The process of food allergy
The process reaction takes place when the person is first exposed to the food. At the first exposure, the allergen excites the blood cells to produce IgE, which gets fixed with the layer of the mast cells present in various tissues of the body. Then when he takes the food, the allergen works up the IgE antibody present in the cells leading to production of chemicals. These chemicals bring in the different indications of food allergy.
Symptoms of food allergy
Symptoms of food allergy occur within just a few minutes of consumption. It can be:
• Difficulties in swallowing or breathing
• Irritation in the mouth
• Vomiting or nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea
Allergens can cause eczema, asthma and even anaphylaxis. Anaphylactic reactions can be severe if the mild symptoms are ignored and not treated on time.
Food allergy in infants
In the first or second year of the life cycle, allergic reactions begin to appear. A common problem in infants is the allergy to milk or milk substitute like soy formula. Early allergies can lead to colic and even blood passing through stool. Allergy to milk is responsible for colic in infants, which gives them poor sleep. Breastfeeding has been proved helpful to infants with milk allergy in the early stages of life.
Foods that cause allergies:
Shrimps, lobster, crayfish, crab, walnuts, eggs, peanuts and fish can cause allergy in adults. In children, eggs, milk, fruits- tomatoes and strawberries and peanuts cause it.
Cross-reactivity
Cross-reactivity is the allergic reaction caused by certain related food other than the main food that causes the reaction.
Diagnosis of food allergy
In order to confirm food allergy in a patient, the doctor can carry out Skin tests, food challenge, blood tests, examination of medical history, dietary diary and elimination diet procedure.
Treatments of food allergy
Most important treatment of food allergy is complete avoidance of the accused allergen in the diet. People suffering from anaphylactic reactions to certain food must wear ‘medical alert’ necklaces or bracelets. While developing an allergy they can also self-administer adrenaline only by prescription. No such medicine is available to actually prevent the allergic reaction before eating that food. Patients can be treated by immunotherapy that is by injecting small amount of substances that the patient is allergic. This may be effective for indoor allergens, hay fever and insect bites.
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