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Understanding Food Allergies
by Letitia Holloway Owens

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Did you know?

More than 11 million Americans have food allergies, of which 3 million of them are children (that's approximately 1 out of every 25 kids).

The most common allergy-causing foods are peanuts, tree nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds), milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, wheat, and soy.

Recent studies showed that over 3 million Americans are allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, and over 6 million are allergic to seafood.

What is a food allergy?

It is your body's response to proteins in a food that your immune system thinks is harmful. The food protein causing an allergic reaction is called an allergen.

Let's say you are allergic to walnuts. You eat something containing walnuts and your body reacts by triggering a chain of chemical reactions. Your immune system begins to release large amounts of histamine and then your immune system goes into overdrive.

What are the symptoms?

The most common symptom of a food-allergy reaction is hives. Other symptoms can include one or more of the following:

• tingling in the mouth
• swelling in the tongue and throat
• difficulty breathing
• difficulty breathing
• abdominal cramps
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• eczema

Most allergic reactions occur within 30 minutes of consuming the problem food. However, reactions can occur within five to 10 minutes or as long as four to six hours after ingestion. In extreme cases, a person can experience anaphylaxis. This is a serious reaction a potentially life-threatening condition where the person experiences faintness, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing and other severe symptoms requiring emergency medical treatment.

Diagnosis

An immunologist can determine if you are allergic to certain foods by performing a series of screening tests. The most common test is the allergy skin-prick test. It is inexpensive and easy to do. The skin is pricked with a solution of the suspected food. A positive test will produce a small hive-like reaction.

If you suspect you're allergic to a particular food, keep a food diary for a month or so. Be aware of what you eat and how your body reacts.

Treatment

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Your doctor will tell you what kind of medicine you need to take. Many prescribe an antihistamine, such as Benadryl®. For severe reactions, your doctor may prescribe epinephrine. It is available as an EpiPen® or Twinject™.

Currently, there is no cure for food allergies. Most children outgrow food allergies. However, as teens, they must be knowledgeable about their food allergies as youngsters since there is a possibility of experiencing reactions later in life.

How can you prevent allergic reactions?

• Avoid the food that triggers your allergy.
• Read labels. For example, if you are allergic to milk products, be sure to avoid foods that contain casein, caseinate, whey or milk solids.
• Ask questions when dining in restaurants and other food establishments.
• Be prepared by carrying your medicine at all times.

For Additional Information Check Out:

The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
11781 Lee Jackson Highway
Suite 160
Fairfax, VA 22033-3309
Toll-Free: (800) 929-4040
Fax: (703) 691-2713
E-Mail: faan@foodallergy.org
http://www.foodallergy.org/

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Office of Communications & Public Liaison
6610 Rockledge Drive, MSC6612
Bethesda, MD 20892-6612
Phone: (301) 496-5717
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)
555 East Wells St.
Suite 1100
Milwaukee, WI 53202-3823
Phone: (414) 272-6071
Toll-Free: (800) 822-2762
E-Mail: info@aaaai.org
http://www.aaaai.org/

Until Next Time....Peace and Good Health,
Letitia

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