Often, individuals commonly confuse food intolerance with food allergies. While food intolerance is widespread and doesn’t involve the immune system, a food allergy can lead to more severe symptoms, occasionally resulting in a life-threatening condition known as anaphylaxis. This article aims to improve understanding of food allergies and offer guidance on prevention for individuals and their families.
What Are Food Allergies?
Food allergies happen when the body overreacts to proteins in certain foods. This reaction can occur with many different foods or different proteins in the same food. The immune system sees the food protein as an invader and releases antibodies called histamines to fight it. Treatment usually involves avoiding the problem foods. In severe cases, medications may be needed.
What Are The Types Of Food Allergies?
Food allergies involve different reactions to foods, but they usually fall into two main types: IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated.
- IgE-Mediated Food Allergies
This type of food allergy is the most common, occurring when the immune system generates IgE antibodies in response to a particular food. Symptoms, varying from mild to severe, usually emerge within hours of consuming the food and can even lead to anaphylaxis. This allergy is particularly prevalent among infants and children.
- Non-IgE-Mediated Food Allergies
In this type of food allergy, the immune system doesn’t produce IgE antibodies. Instead, other parts of the immune system respond to the perceived threat. Symptoms may take time to appear, which can make identification challenging. Common symptoms include skin or digestive problems, diarrhoea and vomiting. Examples include food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome, eosinophilic esophagitis and allergic proctocolitis.
What Are The Causes Of Food Allergy?
In food allergies, the immune system, responsible for safeguarding the body, identifies certain foods as potential threats. Consequently, it induces the release of an antibody known as immunoglobulin E to counteract the food allergen. Upon subsequent exposure to the same food, these antibodies can detect it and signal the immune system to release histamine into the bloodstream. Histamine serves to combat the perceived threat and prevent the spread of infection, but it also leads to allergic reactions.
Food allergies are usually triggered by specific proteins found in food
- Milk
- Fish
- Eggs
- Almonds, walnuts, pine nuts
- Tree nuts
- Shellfish
- Soy
- Wheat
Additional causes of food allergies include:
- Family history: Individuals with a family history of food allergies are at an increased risk of developing them.
- Existing allergies: Those with allergies to one food may be predisposed to developing allergies to others. Moreover, individuals with conditions such as eczema, asthma or hay fever are at an increased risk of having food allergies.
What Are The Indications Of Food Allergies?
Allergic reactions vary from mild to severe, often showing up within hours of eating. Usual symptoms of a food allergy include:
- Itching or swelling in the mouth, face, and lips
- Tingling or itching skin
- Hoarse voice
- Breathing difficulties, especially in children
- Coughing
- Hives around the mouth and face
- Diarrhoea or vomiting, particularly in infants
In severe cases, anaphylaxis can occur. Anaphylaxis is a critical allergic reaction characterized by symptoms such as difficulty breathing, itchy rash, throat or tongue swelling (angioedema) and low blood pressure. Approximately 10% of people with food allergies experience anaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical attention and can sometimes be fatal.
How Is A Food Allergy Diagnosed?
To diagnose a food allergy, the doctor may inquire about the following:
- The timeframe for symptom development
- Specific food items that trigger symptoms
- Nature and duration of symptoms experienced
If a food allergy is suspected, the doctor may conduct a skin test, which involves:
- Applying small amounts of various allergens to the skin
- Creating minor scratches or pricks through the allergens
- Assessing reactions to different allergens
- Additionally, a Radioallergosorbent blood test (RAST) may be performed. This test measures antibody levels to various allergens in the body, with higher levels indicating potential allergies.
What Measures Can Be Taken To Prevent Food Allergies?
Usually, there isn’t a certain way to prevent food allergies. If someone believes they have one, they should consult a doctor. A doctor can assess if certain foods are causing their symptoms and recommend the best plan of action. Oral immunotherapy might be an option later on. It’s crucial to identify and avoid foods that trigger allergies. Managing symptoms promptly when they occur can also help in both preventing and reducing the impact of food allergies.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is food allergy testing?
- Food allergy testing identifies specific foods that could trigger allergic reactions in individuals. Methods include blood tests, skin prick tests or oral food challenges, aiming to detect immune system responses to certain foods. Avoiding trigger foods can help manage allergies and prevent adverse reactions.
- What is a food intolerance test?
- A food intolerance test is a method to identify specific foods that may cause adverse reactions in individuals who are intolerant to certain components found in those foods.
- What are common symptoms of a food allergy?
- Common symptoms of a food allergy include hives, itching, swelling, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and in severe cases, anaphylaxis.
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