Food Allergies
Food Allergies are becoming a common allergy of children and adults.This is one of my biggest concerns because my daughter has many food allergies.What are food allergy and what does it do to a person?
About Food Allergy
Food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks a food protein. Ingestion of the offending food may trigger the sudden release of chemicals, including histamine, resulting in symptoms of an allergic reaction. The symptoms may be mild (rashes, hives, itching, swelling, etc.) or severe (trouble breathing, wheezing, loss of consciousness, etc.). A food allergy can be potentially fatal. Scientists estimate that approximately 12 million Americans suffer from food allergies.
Diagnosis
A skin prick test or a blood test (such as the Immulite or ImmunoCap test) for IgE antibodies is commonly used to begin to determine if an allergy exists. A skin prick test is usually less expensive and can be done in the doctor’s office.
Positive skin prick tests or immunoassay test results will show that IgE is present in the body, but cannot alone predict that a reaction will occur if the patient were to eat a suspected allergy-causing food.
The results of the tests are combined with other information, such as a history of symptoms and the result of a food challenge to determine whether a food allergy exists.
Treatment
Strict avoidance of the allergy-causing food is the only way to avoid a reaction. Reading ingredient labels for all foods is the key to avoiding a reaction. If a product doesn’t have a label, individuals with a food allergy should not eat that food. If you have any doubt whether a food is safe, call the manufacturer for more information. There is no cure for food allergies. Studies are inconclusive about whether food allergies can be prevented.
Epinephrine, also called adrenaline, is the medication of choice for controlling a severe reaction. It is available by prescription as a self-injectable device (EpiPen® or Twinject®).
Symptoms
Symptoms may include one or more of the following: a tingling sensation in the mouth, swelling of the tongue and the throat, difficulty breathing, hives, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and even death. Symptoms typically appear within minutes to two hours after the person has eaten the food to which he or she is allergic.
Prevention
Studies are inconclusive about whether food allergies can be prevented. Parents should become familiar with the early signs of allergic disease such as eczema, hives, repeated diarrhea and/or vomiting in reaction to formulas, wheezing, and talk to a doctor about those symptoms.
At this time, no medication can be taken to prevent food allergies. Strict avoidance of the allergy-causing food is the only way to prevent a reaction. Medications are administered to control symptoms after a reaction occurs.
How a Child Might Describe a ReactionAbout Food Allergy
Common Food Allergens
Uncommon Allergens
Animation of How a Reaction Occurs
Outgrowing
Myths
Frequently Asked Questions
Living with Food Allergy
Trips to the Emergency Room
Daily Tip
Food Allergy Articles
Recommended Resources
Children have unique ways of describing their experiences and perceptions, and allergic reactions are no exception. Precious time is lost when adults do not immediately recognize that a reaction is occurring or don’t understand what a child is telling them.
Some children, especially very young ones, put their hands in their mouths or pull or scratch at their tongues in response to a reaction. Also, children’s voices may change (e.g., become hoarse or squeaky), and they may slur their words.
The following are examples of the words a child might use to describe a reaction:
"This food's too spicy."
"My tongue is hot [or burning]."
"It feels like something’s poking my tongue."
"My tongue [or mouth] is tingling [or burning]."
"My tongue [or mouth] itches."
"It [my tongue] feels like there is hair on it."
"My mouth feels funny."
"There's a frog in my throat."
"There’s something stuck in my throat."
"My tongue feels full [or heavy]."
"My lips feel tight."
"It feels like there are bugs in there." (to describe itchy ears)
"It [my throat] feels thick."
"It feels like a bump is on the back of my tongue [throat]."
If you suspect that your child is having an allergic reaction, follow your doctor's instructions
FAAN THE FOOD ALLERGY & ANAPHYLAXIS NETWORK is a helpful website if you, your child or someone know has this condition.
http://www.foodallergy.org/
