It can be pretty scary to learn that you or your child has allergies to food.

No way around it, the news can really be a life changing experience. There is no cure for food allergies. Strict avoidance of the food(s) is the only way to prevent a food allergy reaction from occurring. Also, every food allergy reaction has the possibility of developing into a life-threatening and potentially fatal allergic reaction. However, all of this soon becomes a part of your life and actually is quite manageable. It’s important to educate yourself on many things however these initial questions are most important:

What is a food allergy?

What are the symptoms of an allergic reaction?

What is Anaphylaxis and what must I know about this reaction?

We recommend visiting these links for specific information:
www.Foodallergy.org
www.acaai.org

Food Allergy Causes

An allergic reaction occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to an allergen, in this case a food protein. The white blood cells produce an antibody to this allergen, called immunoglobulin E or IgE.

When this antibody comes in contact with the particular food protein, it promotes production and release of certain chemicals called “mediators.” Histamine is an example of a mediator.

These mediators act on various parts of the body, mainly the skin, throat, airways, intestines and heart. The effects of the mediators on organs and other cells cause the symptoms of the allergic reaction.

Any food has the potential to trigger an allergic reaction, but a few foods account for most food allergies. In fact, most food allergies are triggered by one of these eight foods:

Milk

Wheat

Soy

Peanuts

Tree nuts

Fish

Shellfish

Generally, people who have allergies react to only a few foods. Occasionally, a person who is allergic to one food also may be allergic to other related foods. This is called cross-reaction.
Common examples:

Allergy to peanuts — Cross-allergies to soybeans, green beans, and peas

Allergy to wheat — Cross-allergy to rye

Allergy to cow’s milk — Cross-allergy to goat’s milk

Allergy to pollen — Cross-allergies to hazelnuts, green apples, peaches, and almonds

People who have a history of other allergies, such as eczema or asthma are particularly prone to having a reaction to a food. They are also more likely to have a more severe reaction.

A person with a food allergy can have symptoms beginning as soon as 2 minutes after eating the food, but reactions may take 1 to 2 hours to appear. Occasionally, symptoms abate quickly, only to recur in 3 to 4 hours.

For more information please visit:
www.emedicinehealth.com

Symptoms of an allergic reaction

A person with a food allergy can have symptoms beginning as soon as 2 minutes after eating the food, but reactions may take 1 to 2 hours to appear. Occasionally, symptoms abate quickly, only to recur in 3 to 4 hours.

The most common symptoms include the following:

Itching of the skin followed by hives, a rash of raised, reddish bumps or wheals

Swelling of the lips and mouth

Belly cramps

Nausea

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Other symptoms may include the following:

Itching and watering in the eyes

Runny or stuffy nose

Symptoms of a more severe reaction could include the following:

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Tightness in the chest

Feeling of tightness or choking in the throat

Rapid or irregular heart beat

Feeling dizzy or light-headed

Losing consciousness

Anaphylaxis

A severe allergic reaction can be life threatening. This severe reaction is referred to as anaphylaxis, or anaphylactic shock. The dizziness, lightheadedness, and loss of consciousness are due to dangerously low blood pressure, called “shock.” An anaphylactic reaction can begin suddenly, or it may develop gradually with itchiness and swelling of the skin and throat and then progress to a severe reaction over a few hours.

Most people get such a reaction immediately after eating the food, but in a few unusual cases the reaction occurs only after exercising following the ingestion of the food. Severe reactions are most often seen with allergies to nuts, fish, and shellfish, although allergy to any food can cause anaphylaxis. People with asthma, childhood allergies, eczema, or prior severe food allergies are especially at risk for having an anaphylactic reaction.