Food allergies and food intolerance affect most individuals at some point in their life. While many unpleasant reactions to food are mistakenly attributed to allergies, fewer than 5% of people actually have true food allergies. A true food allergy is a specific, abnormal reaction of the immune system that is triggered by a certain food. Food intolerance are more common, and they cause an abnormal response that is not related to the immune system. Intolerance include lactose intolerance and food poisoning.
Allergies to food most commonly occur when a patient has an abnormal reaction to a certain protein. The body identifies the protein as something that is harmful, and the immune system triggers an allergic reaction. In many cases, food allergies are mild, but they can be life-threatening when responses include respiratory distress such as anaphylactic shock. In these cases, immediate medical attention is required.
Diagnosing Food Allergies
Diagnosing food allergies typically requires allergy testing, food journals, and the collection of family medical history. When the exact cause of an allergy can not be determined, patients may be put on an elimination diet to determine what food is causing an allergic reaction. Determining the cause of an allergic reaction is essential in treating the condition because most patients will need to avoid certain foods to manage allergies.
Some of the foods that children are commonly allergic to include milk, eggs, peanuts, and fruit while adults are more likely to experience allergic reactions to shellfish, nuts from trees, eggs, fish, and peanuts. In patients with severe allergies, a miniscule amount of a food allergen can cause a major reaction. In other cases, however, patients may be able to consume small amounts of a food with little or no reaction. Children commonly outgrown allergies, especially allergies to milk. Adults usually do not lose allergies as they age.
Treating Food Allergies
The most common treatment for food allergies is dietary avoidance. By avoiding certain food allergens, patients can avoid an allergic reaction. In severe cases, however, patients must know how to treat an anaphylactic reaction just in case an allergen is accidentally ingested. They may carry a syringe of adrenaline to use in the advent of a major reaction. Some patients may also be prescribed medications for dealing with less severe symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, hives, and gastrointestinal discomfort. While these treatments can be used to manage symptoms after consuming an allergen, there is currently no treatment that prevents a reaction.