How many of you have heard of food allergies , or as some people call them, 'Food Allergies '? Maybe you, someone in your family or a friend has experienced something like this. This is really something to be concerned about. So, let's talk about this in detail, very simply, today?
What is this food allergy?
Simply put, a food allergy is when our immune system – the army that protects us from disease – mistakenly sees certain foods as an 'enemy'. Normally, this immune system works to protect us by fighting off germs and viruses that enter the body. But in the case of a food allergy, this system sees a protein in a harmless food as an 'invader' and starts a fight against it.
The most important thing here is that you can't assume that just because you had a minor allergic reaction the next time, you will have the same reaction the next time. Sometimes the next reaction can be life-threatening . Therefore, a person with a food allergy must completely stop eating the food they are allergic to. Also, it is very important to always keep a medicine called epinephrine with you in case of an emergency. Imagine, there was a young boy named Kanale, who had difficulty breathing even after eating a small amount of peanuts. He always kept his epinephrine pen with him.
What foods cause the most allergies?
In fact, anyone can be allergic to any food. However, there are a few foods that most commonly cause food allergies among us. These are the main ones:
- Milk (like cow's milk, buffalo milk)
- Eggs
- Peanuts
- Soy
- Wheat
- Tree nuts - Examples of these are cashews, almonds, and walnuts.
- Fish
- Shellfish - for example, shrimp, crab, and squid.
- Sesame
When you see this list, you might think, 'Oh, these are the things we eat all the time.' Yes, it's true. That's why it's important to be aware of this.
What are the symptoms of a food allergy? How do you recognize it?
Now let's look at the symptoms of a food allergy. As mentioned earlier, when our immune system recognizes a food as an 'enemy', it produces antibodies to fight it.
Then, every time we eat that offending food (or sometimes even just touch it or smell it), our bodies release chemicals like histamine . It is the release of those chemicals that causes allergy symptoms. These symptoms can vary from person to person, and even the same person can have different symptoms at different times. Here are some things that can happen:
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Cough
- Hoarseness
- Feeling of tightness in the throat (throat tightness)
- Stomach ache (belly pain)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Itchy eyes, watery eyes, swollen eyes
- Skin rash, hives
- Red spots on the skin
- Swelling
- Sudden drop in blood pressure, dizziness, and possible loss of consciousness (passing out)
This is very dangerous: Anaphylaxis.
Sometimes, a food allergy can cause a very severe, life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis . This may start with the usual symptoms mentioned earlier. However, the condition can get worse very quickly. It can become very difficult to breathe, or you may lose consciousness. These symptoms can affect more than one part of the body. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening if not treated quickly with injectable epinephrine. So it is important to be very careful.
Food allergies and food intolerance are two different things, right?
A lot of people confuse food allergy with food intolerance. These two are actually two different things.
Symptoms of food intolerance may include: bloating, burping, indigestion, gas, loose stools, headaches, nervousness, or a flushed feeling.
However, there are some key differences between the two :
- Our immune system is not involved in digestive problems. In the case of a food allergy, the immune system is definitely involved.
- Digestive problems can occur when the body can't digest a certain substance, such as lactose . You may have heard of 'Lactose Intolerance' . That's a good example of this. Some people get an upset stomach when they drink milk for this reason.
- Although indigestion is an uncomfortable condition, it is usually not a serious condition . However, a food allergy, as mentioned earlier, can be life-threatening.
So, if you experience any discomfort when eating a food, it's important to find out exactly whether it's an allergy or a digestive problem.
How do you know for sure if you have a food allergy? (Diagnosis)
If you have food allergies, the first thing you should do is see a doctor. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and rule out other conditions that could be causing them. For example, if you experience bloating after drinking milk, they may want to consider whether it's a food allergy or lactose intolerance . Another condition that can cause symptoms similar to food allergies is Celiac Disease . People with this condition cannot tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat and some other grains.
If your doctor thinks you have a food allergy, he or she will likely refer you to an allergist . This specialist will ask you questions, perform a physical exam (e.g., listen to your lungs), and run a series of tests to pinpoint the problem.
The most common type of allergy test is a skin test . In this test, a doctor or nurse applies a drop of a liquid made from the suspected food to your skin (usually the back of your hand or forearm), makes a small scratch, and then waits for a few minutes to see if there is any reaction (such as redness or swelling).
In addition, doctors can also do a blood test . This blood test can check if you have antibodies against a certain food in your blood.
If the results from these tests are unclear, the allergist may decide to perform what is called a 'Food Challenge Test' .
- This test involves gradually increasing the amount of food you are allergic to, under the direct supervision of a doctor. During this time, the doctor will carefully monitor your symptoms. This test should be done in an allergist's office or in a hospital, where emergency medical care and medication are readily available. This is because a life-threatening reaction can occur at this time.
Food challenge tests are also used to see if some people outgrow allergies over time.
How do you treat a food allergy? What can you do?
There is no cure for food allergies. The only real treatment is to avoid the offending food completely. However, if you have an allergic reaction, your doctor can prescribe medications to help reduce your symptoms. And, if the reaction is severe, there are even medications that can be life-saving.
Anyone with a food allergy that can cause a severe reaction, such as anaphylaxis, should always carry two doses of epinephrine. Epinephrine is a medication prescribed by a doctor. It comes in a small, easy-to-carry device (auto-injector) . It's easy to use. Your doctor will show you how to use it. Always carry two doses. This is because it can help you get a second dose if one dose doesn't work properly.
Your doctor can also give you an 'Allergy Action Plan' . This will help you prepare for, recognize, and treat an allergic reaction. Share this plan with anyone who needs to be aware, such as your family, school officials, and sports coaches. Also, consider wearing a 'Medical Alert Bracelet' .
Time is of the essence in an allergic reaction. If you start to experience severe allergic symptoms such as difficulty breathing and throat tightness, use epinephrine immediately . Also, if you experience symptoms in two different parts of the body at the same time, such as skin rash and vomiting, use epinephrine immediately. Then immediately call 1990 (Sri Lanka's emergency ambulance service) and go to the hospital emergency department . Medical supervision is very important, because sometimes a second wave of severe symptoms can occur, even if the worst of the condition seems to have subsided.
What else do you want to know about this?
If you have any kind of food allergy, you need to become an expert at reading food labels . Many manufacturers in our country now clearly list the ingredients on the label. So always read the label carefully before buying a new food . Make it a habit to check "Does this contain peanuts?" "Does this contain milk?"
While labels are helpful when buying packaged food, what do you do when eating out? If you have a food allergy, tell the person serving you. In most cases, you can’t stop there. Ask what’s in each dish on the menu or where the food is displayed. If the person serving you doesn’t know exactly what it is, see if they can ask the person who made it (or the chef) to find out.
Another thing you need to be aware of is cross-contamination . This means that the food you are allergic to can be contaminated with other foods by using utensils, such as cutting boards, to prepare other foods. For example, if someone with a peanut allergy cuts another food on the same cutting board that was used to prepare peanuts, it could be a problem. So ask about this at restaurants.
Living with a food allergy can be difficult at times. If someone you know has a food allergy, offer them your support and understanding. Some people with food allergies may feel isolated or uncomfortable. Also, if you have a food allergy, tell your friends about it. In most cases, they will understand and care about you.
So, here are some things you should remember from what we talked about today... (Take-Home Message)
Okay, so we've talked a lot about food allergies today, haven't we? Out of all this, the most important things to keep in mind are these:
- A food allergy is no joke. It can be very serious, sometimes leading to a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis .
- Avoid foods that you know are bad for you completely . Don't think, "It's okay to eat a little."
- If you are at risk for severe allergic reactions, always carry two epinephrine auto-injectors with you . Make sure you know how to use them.
- If allergic symptoms (especially severe symptoms) occur , use epinephrine immediately and seek emergency medical attention .
- Read food labels carefully, be very careful when eating out, and be aware of cross-contamination .
- If you or someone you know has a food allergy, don't panic, but be careful . With the right knowledge and preparation, this condition can be managed well.
If you have any further questions about this, be sure to talk to a doctor. Remember, you are not alone!
Food Allergy, Allergy Symptoms, Anaphylaxis, Epinephrine, Food Safety, Allergy Testing
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