Food Allergy
.jpg/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:100%25/rs=w:400,cg:true)
A food allergy is an immune reaction that occurs immediately after a person eats a specific food. Most food-allergic reactions are mild, but few are severely life-threatening and may need emergency treatment.
cause of food allergies?
An individual with a food allergy has an immune system that excessively reacts to proteins seen in certain foods. It's identified as a serious invader and the body prepares a specific IgE (Immunoglobulin E) antibody to fight it. This leads to a protective reaction that can include skin, respiratory, heart and/or digestive symptoms.
How commonly people have food allergies?
Approximately 32 million Americans have food allergies – 26 million adults and nearly 6 million children, according to 2019 data funded in part by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID). In India, About 4.5% of adolescents are allergic certain food items leading to asthma, rhinitis or both.
food allergy was low at 0·14% among Indian children aged 6–11 years in ISAAC study.
What are the most common food allergies?
In infants and children, the commonest food allergy is peanut, milk, Wheat, tree nuts, eggs and fish. For detail read click here
The commonest food allergies in adults is shellfish (shrimp, crayfish, lobster), followed by cow’s milk, peanuts, tree nuts and fish (such as salmon). for detail reading click here
What are the manifestations of food allergies?
Symptoms and signs of food allergies can vary from individual to individual and from reaction to reaction.
Symptoms of a mild allergic response are:
- Itchy or watery runny nose, excessive sneezing,
- Itchy or tingling feeling in the oral cavity, tongue, and cheeks.
- Occasional hives, mild occasional itching of skin Mild nausea or sense of discomfort.
Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, also known as anaphylaxis:
- Shortness of breaths, wheezing in the chest, repetitive, continuous coughing.
- Appear pale, blue fingers and feet, faint, dizzy, confused feeling in head.
- Tightness in the throat/ vocal cord, hoarseness of voice, trouble breathing or swallowing saliva or food
- Gastric discomfort such as abdominal cramps; diarrhea, vomiting, and decreased appetite.
- Sudden Swelling of tongue or lips.
- Hives over a Majority area of the body on skin.
- impending doom-like feeling.
Which tests are done for food allergies?
The food allergy investigations performed most often by allergists are:
1. Allergy Skin prick test
2. Blood test or invitro allergy test for specific IgE against food allergens
3. Oral food challenge.
How do I treat a food allergy reaction?
If you experience mild reactions to food, follow your doctor’s advise for detail management. Mild symptoms may soon progress to severe,at any time.
A severe reaction is called anaphylaxis. Skin symptoms like urticaria are not always present with anaphylaxis.
Patients susceptible for anaphylaxis are advised to always carry epinephrine auto-injectors with them everytime when they go anywhere.
Does a food allergy go away?
Few children will outgrow their food allergies over time, particularly if they are allergic to milk, egg or wheat. It is very rare to outgrow an allergy to peanuts or tree nuts, although it is still possible.
There is now FDA-approved oral immunotherapy (OIT) treatment for peanut allergy available for children ages 4-17 In USA. Not available in India. For other food allergens and/or age groups, talk with a certified allergist .
Are food allergies genetic in nature?
Genetics play a key role in deciding who will develop food allergies. If a parents have a food allergy, their children are at an increased risk as well. for details click here
Why food allergies are increasing worldwide?
- Researchers do not know sureshot, why allergy rates are increasing world wide , but they are working hard to discover . Hygiene hypothesis explains that as rate of infections in kids with increased hygiene decreases, possibility of child developing allergies increases
- Another theory is that parents for years avoided introducing common food allergens – such as peanuts or tree nuts – and that when kids were given these foods at an older age, their immune system overreacted.
How can I be prepared to treat a food allergy reaction?
It is absolutely essential to always be prepared to treat a food allergy reaction. Never leave home without carrying your epinephrine auto-injector and should know how to use it – even if you are not planning to eat where you are going. Accidental exposures are always unplanned.