Know why you have a Food Allergy???

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Over the past few years, the prevalence of food allergies has increased dramatically and has become a major public health problem. The immune system aids in body health by combating infections and safeguarding against foreign matter. When the immune system misreads the proteins found in the food as a threat and attacks the body triggering a protective response causing food allergy which can be majorly immunoglobulin (Ig)E-mediated or non–IgE-mediated. The IgE mediated is rapid onset within minutes of ingestion of food and non-IgE is delayed onset for hours to weeks. Around the world, food allergies affect around 6-8% of children and 4-5 % of adults. However, the symptoms can be mild or severe depending on the individual, but they can also be unpredictable. Allergy tests play a crucial role in diagnosing and managing these conditions, providing valuable insights into identifying triggers and formulating appropriate treatment plans.

What is a food allergy?

In the human body, when any certain food or substance in a food is ingested, the immune system overreacts causing multiple symptoms termed as food allergy. Understanding the natural history of food allergies, like the degree of exposure to food and molecular characteristics of the allergen is essential in managing patients with these disorders. For some patients, food allergies can lead to life-threatening reactions called anaphylaxis in which your blood pressure drops rapidly, unusual heart rates and your breathing becomes labored.

Difference between food allergy and food intolerance?

Food allergy is caused by the immune system reacting to a specific food whereas in food intolerance, your immune system is not involved. Food intolerance is about the digestion of specific food items.

For example, a milk allergy is different from being unable to digest it properly due to lactose intolerance.

What causes food allergies?

Food allergies are more likely to be hereditary inherited from parents. If both of your parents have allergies, you are more likely to have a food allergy than if only one parent has allergies. If you have hay fever, eczema, or other allergies, you are more likely to develop food allergies. During an allergic reaction, several chemicals are released, mainly histamine causing the symptoms. Practically, any food can cause a reaction, but certain foods cause most food allergies. Such as tree nuts (walnuts), peanuts, seafood, milk, wheat, eggs, stings insect bites, and a few medicines are the most common allergens that cause anaphylaxis. 

Signs and Symptoms of Food allergies:

For a few individuals, allergic reactions to specific food may be intolerable but not intense. For others it can be life-threatening, causing serious complications. Generally, symptoms caused by food allergy appear within minutes or 2- 3 hours after ingesting any food. The symptoms are rarely delayed for several hours. Several mild symptoms are common, some of the symptoms include:

• Itchy mouth and throat
• An itchy rash or hives
• Swollen lips
• Wheezing or nasal congestion
• Nausea and Vomiting sensation
• Abdominal cramps
• Dizziness and Lightheadedness
• Diarrhea

Diagnosis:

Accurate and precise diagnosis like allergy tests is essential for the treatment of patients with food allergies. Once a patient is diagnosed with a food allergy, it is important to identify the allergen(s) causing the disease. The healthcare practitioner will consider a few factors before making a diagnosis through allergy blood test. These factors include your symptoms, family history, skin test, or a blood test for identifying the food having an allergy.

Precautions and Prevention:

Many people don’t know about their food allergies and are in a dilemma. The fundamental way to tackle a food allergy is to avoid consuming the food that causes allergies. Carefully check ingredient labels of products before consuming. Exposures and reactions can occur unexpectedly; hence patients and their family must be prepared to react quickly. Giving intramuscular epinephrine in the lateral thigh is a choice of treatment during anaphylaxis. Hopefully, in the coming years new treatment options will soon be available to ease the anxiety and fear that parents and patients face every day.