Food Allergies- Things you Need to Understand

The first thing we must understand with regards to problems with food allergies is there are three different types of responses. According to Food Allergy Survival Guide, it is important to pay attention to how your body reacts to particular foods if you are having allergy symptoms. Sometimes you may be able to figure out what food is a problem by a simple process of eliminating the likely culprits and then re-introducing them slowly back into your diet.

First there is a true food allergy which is a hypersensitivity to a protein in some type of food. It is the over reaction of the body’s immune system to a food or food ingredient that it recognizes as foreign. Typical symptoms of food allergies are listed in the chart below. One out of three people lose the allergy if a food is not eaten for 1-3 years.

Secondly, there is a food intolerance which is an adverse reaction to a food or food ingredient, or additive that does not involve the immune system. It is typically the digestive system that is affected. This is a reaction to small molecules when digested affect some people adversely. Examples would be lactose or gluten intolerance, so the result would be nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Thirdly, there is a food sensitivity which includes both the food allergy and intolerance causes the more serious reactions.

Most food allergies develop in the first year of life affecting up to 8% of children according to the World Allergen Organization. Most children outgrow the allergies and only 2 % of adults have food allergies. Food allergies are more common with children who have other allergic diseases, such as eczema.

Food allergies can be experienced in many different body paths from a mild irritation to life-threatening anaphylactic responses. A true food allergy means being hypersensitive to a particular food and are caused by an inappropriate response from the immune system. They are typically due to some type of protein. In a normal situation the immune system reacts to foreign organisms, such as bacteria or viruses that are harmful by a rather complex system.

With regard to food allergens, the action by the immune system is similar. It recognizes the invader (food allergen), classifies it as dangerous, and utilizes its unique defense to destroy the invader by unleashing destructive chemicals. The first time this happens to an individual there is no systemic response, but the body becomes sensitized. The next time the invader enters the system the substances poses a threat, prepares a defense as it is alerted to the allergen knowing it is a threat and prepares a defense. The next step is the counterattack, which sets off a series of events which cause blood vessels to dilate and tissue to swell causing discomfort and there can be a wide variety of symptoms.

According to the World Allergy Organization of the More Common Food Allergies Chart the following foods cause the greatest number of allergies and anaphylaxis.

For infants and young children: Milk (cow/goat), chicken egg, peanut, tree nuts (walnuts, hazel/filbert, cashew, pistachio, Brazil, pine nut, almond) cause the most allergies that result in anaphylaxis. Wheat is the other most common allergy but without the anaphylaxis. Other food items that are not common allergies in infants, but can cause anaplylaxiz are shellfish (shrimp, crab, lobster, oyster, scallops), fruit, vegetables, seeds (cotton, sesame, physllum and mustard)

For older children and adults: peanut, tree nuts, (walnuts, hazel/filbert, cashew, pistachio, Brazil, pine nut, almond), shellfish, (shrimp, crab, lobster, oyster, scallops), fruit, vegetables, seeds, (cotton, sesame, physllum and mustard) can all cause anaphylaxis.

Symptoms of Food Sensitivity Symptoms and Conditions can range from mild to severe, and include the skin and mucous membranes; eczema, hives, redness, swelling of deeper tissues in the mouth and face, itching.

• Respiratory tract; runny nose, sneezing, itchy, watery and reddened eyes, earache with fluid drainage, throat tightening (due to swelling), asthma, chest congestion, lung spasms and coughing. Throat tightening and difficulty breathing is leading to anaphylaxis; see picture above.

• Nervous system; migraines or other headaches, dizziness, spots before the eyes, listlessness, hyperactivity, fatigue, lack of concentration, irritability, depression

• Other; muscle aches, dark circles under the eyes, sweating

Anaphylaxis symptoms develop extremely rapidly; (in minutes or even seconds), and is a 911 life threatening emergency. There is a long list of possible physical reactions that might precede the person going into shock and dying. Look for hives, rash, confusion, wheezing, the throat will swell shut cutting off oxygen to the individual causing cardiac collapse and death.

The foods most commonly associate with anaphylactic reactions are peanuts, shellfish, tree nuts, and fish. People with known anaphylactic reactions carry a kit containing injectable adrenaline (epinephrine) and an oral antihistamine in case of accidental exposure.

Treatment for food sensitivities may include Advair or Proventil for asthma. There are numerous antihistamines. Regular allergy shots are used after the appropriate allergy testing. There are other treatments for eczema as well. Some allergy symptoms with viruses have responded to chiropractic care.

Alternative treatments are also being done by the Nambudripad Allergy Elimination Technique which is based on curing the pathways of energy in the body using acupressure points and kinesiology.

If you or your child is exhibiting these types of symptoms the best thing to do is see a board certified allergist. They can do the proper testing and start treatment as necessary. There is a wide variety of treatments depending on the type of symptoms you are exhibiting.

The copyright to this article is owned by Pamela Oglesby. Permission to republish this article in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.