May 15, 2008
Food Allergies
by Melanie Huett, MS, RD, LD, WIC RD Nutrition Educator
Approximately 12 million Americans have a food allergy. Children are the largest group affected with over 3 million, or almost 1 child out of every 25.
What is the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance?
A bad reaction to a food can be the result of either a food allergy or food intolerance.
A food allergy happens when the body's immune system mistakenly believes that a food is harmful. Once the immune system decides that a certain food is bad, it creates specific antibodies to that food in order to protect the body. The next time a person eats that food, the immune system releases large amounts of chemicals, including histamine. These chemicals cause allergic symptoms that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, or cardiovascular system.
A food intolerance is a metabolic disorder. It does not involve the immune system. For example, a person with lactose intolerance lacks an enzyme that is required to digest milk sugar. When the person eats or drinks milk products, symptoms such as gas, bloating, and abdominal pain can occur.
What foods cause a food allergy?
Although a person can be allergic to any food, including fruits, vegetables, and meats, there are eight foods that account for 90% of all food-allergic reactions. These are milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (walnut, cashew, etc.), fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.
What are symptoms of a food allergy?
Symptoms can include:
- a tingling feeling in the mouth
- swelling of the tongue and throat
- a rash or inflammation of the skin
- hives and swelling
- vomiting
- abdominal cramps
- diarrhea
- wheezing or difficulty breathing
- loss of consciousness
Symptoms usually appear within a few minutes to a couple of hours after a person has eaten the food to which he or she is allergic.
What is the best treatment for food allergy?
Avoidance of the allergy-causing food is the only way to avoid a reaction. It is important for people with food allergies to learn how to read ingredient labels to avoid allergy-causing foods. If a doctor has recommended medication, such as antihistamines, the person must carry it with him or her at all times. There is no cure for food allergies. Many people outgrow their food allergies, though allergies to peanuts, nuts, fish, and shellfish will often last throughout their lives.
Food Allergy Quiz: True or False
Milk is a common food allergen.
True: People who are allergic to milk must stay away from cheese, ice cream, butter, yogurt, and all other foods that contain milk.
It's OK to test if a food is safe by licking it or taking a small bite.
False: Even a little lick or bite of a food can lead to a reaction. People with a food allergy must read the ingredient label before eating a food.
Food allergies can be cured with allergy shots.
False: There is no cure for food allergies. Avoiding the food is the only way to prevent an allergic reaction
Source: www.foodallergy.org