Food allergy is an immune system response to certain kinds of foods. People who have food allergies feel the reaction even if it is a harmless food. For some people, these food allergies become severe called anaphylaxis.
Thanks to Indian genes we have low chances of food allergy. However, every year causes 100-200 deaths per year. This is due to environmental pollution and rapid lifestyle changes that increase the allergy.
The body produces histamine to fight the food elements which the body thinks are an enemy. And it results in sniffling or an anaphylactic shock that needs a medical emergency.
Symptoms of Food Allergy:
After eating the food the immune system reacts within 1-2 minutes right. So, people may suffer with symptoms within 2 minutes. However, for someone, it may develop within a few hours. The symptoms are as follows:
- Itching in tongue & mouth
- Hives & inflammation
- Swelling of lips, face, tongue, inner throat, and other parts of the body.
- Abdominal pain or diarrhea
- Dizziness or fainting
- Sudden fall in blood pressure
- Hoarse voice
Causes of Food Allergy:
It is mentioned above that food allergy is an immune response. Moreover, genetics or heredity plays a role sometimes. Allergy can happen with certain foods, but some foods trigger allergies most in general.
The foods include:
- Shrimp or crab
- Peanuts
- Fish
- Chicken eggs
- Peanut
- Cow’s milk
- Wheat
- Soy
- Walnuts
Additionally, any food can cause this health issue. Some people have allergies with
- Celery
- Mustard
- Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
- Pine Nuts
- Sesame Seeds
- Gluten included food
- Meat
Risk Factor of Food Allergy:
Some facts signify the risk of having food allergies.
- If you have a family history of allergies you are at risk of food allergies.
- If you already have an allergy to one food, you are at great risk with life-threatening conditions with other foods too.
- Infants and children are often suffering with food allergies.
- People having asthma are at risk of food allergies. Moreover, both health issues occur together.
Prevention & Treatments of Food Allergy:
Food allergy has no permanent treatment. We can only prevent it. However, Immunotherapy with regular administration for a long period cures some cases.
But in general, the allergy may be prevented but not fully cured. A research concludes that if one allergy is cured, the body may respond to another type of allergy or severe kind.
Precautions to be taken:
- If you are already know about food that causes allergies, avoid it anyway.
- You can wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace if you already faced severity.
- Ask your doctor to prescribe medicines for an emergency. Epi-pens are very useful in the case of anaphylaxis. Carry those medicines with you every time.
- Be careful about what you eat. Watch your restaurant food, and ask about the ingredients in it. Or plan food before planning to go anywhere.
Remember, in food allergies prevention is always better than cure.
