FOOD ALLERGIES

There are many conditions that one may have, that are similar to food allergies. The symptoms may be very much alike. Some of these symptoms are:

swelling of the lips, face, or throat
tingling in the mouth
vomiting
loud sounds in the intestine
gas
diarrhea
chest congestion
cough
wheezing or shortness of breath
skin rash or hives
tearing eyes and
runny nose

Besides food allergy, other conditions that may bring on these symptoms are:

food intolerance
food poisoning
irritable bowel syndrome
reflux and
colic

A true food allergy is caused by an immune response the body has to a specific food. A food allergy can have many symptoms and sometimes cause anaphylactic shock, which can lead to death if not treated.

If a food allergy is suspected, a healthcare provider may be able to diagnose the cause of the allergy by taking a history and performing a medical exam. If not, the provider will recommend an allergist for skin testing. Keeping a food diary may be recommended. All food eaten must be recorded and the time it was eaten. Symptoms are also recorded. Another type of test is an elimination diet.

If the allergy is severe your provider may recommend an antihistamine or steroid medication or possibly a self-injection treatment with epinephrine. When symptoms do not respond to medication or there is swelling in the throat or difficulty breathing, call 911 for emergency help.

Children and allergies.

About 6 to 8 percent of babies have food allergies. The primary foods causing the allergy are eggs and milk. Most children out grow these allergies by the age of 6 years. The ones who do not out grow their allergies become the 1 to 2 percent of adults who have true food allergies. Other foods that can cause allergies for children are peanuts, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, soybeans, wheat, eggs, peas, tomatoes, spices, and fresh fruit.

Because children may be allergic to milk and eggs, they should not be given either of these for the first year. Many infant formulas are specially treated cow's milk and are safe for most children. After the first year, children may be started on eggs and milk one at a time, to make sure that they do not have an allergic reaction to either food. It is usually the proteins in these foods that cause the allergic reaction.

Lactose intolerance is an example of food intolerance. MSG in oriental food is another example. Both of these are easily prevented, by either elimination of that food from the diet, or, as with lactose intolerance, taking lactose tablets when eating or drinking milk products. If one is found to be allergic to a specific food, that food should be avoided to prevent allergy symptoms from occurring.

Self-care for food allergies:

When allergic to a specific food, reading food labels will help to avoid it. However, there are some foods that may not be listed on the label, but would be present. For example, egg white is often used as a glaze on bread and rolls to make them shiny, but won't be listed on the label. Identify the ingredients in pot luck recipes before eating the food.

Most people with food allergies react to very few foods. Substitute foods to replace the allergy-causing foods to maintain a safe and satisfying diet. For example, substitute soy-based products for milk if allergic to milk. Substituting foods makes it possible to avoid the problem foods and eat a normal diet.

Follow all of your provider's instructions to avoid the specific foods identified for you that cause reactions. Keep track of all your reactions and be sure to carry your medicines with you in case of emergency.

For more information, the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network provides information on food allergy and anaphylaxis and other issues of this disease. Call (800) 929-4040 or visit their website at www.foodallergy.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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