Food Allergy
Food Allergy
An allergic reaction to a food is an inappropriate reaction by the body’s immune system to the ingestion of a food that in the majority of individuals causes no adverse effects. Allergic reactions to foods vary in severity and can be potentially fatal. In food allergy the immune system does not recognize as safe a protein component of the food to which the individual is sensitive (such as some proteins in peanuts). This component is termed the allergen. The immune system then typically produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to the allergen, which trigger other cells to release substances that cause inflammation. Allergic reactions are usually localized to a particular part of the body and symptoms may include asthma, eczema, flushing, and swelling of tissues (such as the lips) or difficulty in breathing. A severe reaction may result in anaphylaxis (as with severe peanut allergy), in which there is a rapid fall in blood pressure and severe shock. Food allergy is relatively rare, affecting an estimated 1-2% of children and less than 1% of adults (typically 0.2-0.5%), and is often wrongly used as a general term for adverse reactions to food.
Six foods cause 90% of food allergy reactions in children:
- Milk
- Egg
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Soy
- Tree nuts (such as pecans and walnuts)
Children will frequently outgrow an allergy to eggs, milk and soy. However, allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish usually continue into adulthood.
A severe allergic reaction to a food can involve many body organs and may develop rapidly. This reaction is called anaphylaxis.
Food is the leading cause of anaphylaxis in children. Anaphylaxis symptoms usually happen immediately after the offending food is eaten. Sometimes, however, the symptoms subside, then return hours later. In unusual cases, adverse food reactions might take hours to become evident. Children who, when eating, show hoarseness, difficulty talking, coughing, drooling, tongue swelling, choking, throat tightness, or changes in their level of awareness need emergency medical treatment immediately.
Signs and symptoms of adverse food reactions may include any or several of the following:
- Chest tightness, shortness of breath or wheezing (a whistling sound when breathing).
- Skin reactions such as hives, skin rashes, itching or flushing.
- Nasal congestion or itchiness, a runny nose or sneezing.
- Itchy or teary eyes.
- Intestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, colic, abdominal cramps, or diarrhea.
- Itching/tingling/swelling of the lips, palate, tongue, or throat.
In the event of a severe reaction, children should be given epinephrine, self-injectable. This will ease the reaction while the child is transported to the hospital for further treatment.
When a food allergy is suspected, that food should be avoided until a doctor is consulted. A number of unpleasant symptoms can occur after eating food that are caused by medical conditions other than food allergy. If symptoms are associated with food allergy, then evaluation by a board-certified allergist may be helpful.
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