At a gathering at a friend’s house, you find that the roasted fish looks so good. You ate two portions of the fish, but before you could consume a third, an itchy reddish spot appears on your skin, you feel your stomach cramping, and you vomit. You may not be aware that you may be suffering from a fish allergy. These are moderate symptoms of a food allergy; if severe, it can prove fatal.
Food allergy is an abnormal response of the body’s immune system to particular food items. The immune system is involved in defense of the body against harmful external invaders like bacteria and viruses. It recognizes and kills them. In food allergy, the immune system recognizes the foods to be ostensibly harmful, and mounts an attack in response. This triggers the release of histamine, a chemical substance that causes food allergy symptoms. Immune responses are usually triggered by proteins in food and less commonly by fats and carbohydrates.
Food allergies are common
Approximately 12 million Americans are estimated to be affected by food allergies. Food allergy affects about 5-7% of children and about 1-2% of adults. These numbers are steadily increasing. These figures may represent the tip of the iceberg as food allergy is often under reported, and the true number may be much higher.
Severity of food allergies
Food allergies can be mild, severe or fatal. Food allergy symptoms include cramping, vomiting and diarrhea. The symptoms of a food allergy may not be restricted to the digestive tract. Respiratory symptoms include difficulty breathing, a runny nose, and labored breathing. Patchy or itchy skin may also occur. Anaphylactic reactions, which are characterized by a sudden onset of perspiration, choking, and a drop in blood pressure, can be fatal.
Common food allergies
Different foods can cause allergy in different individuals. There are eight common foods that cause allergy. These are wheat, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, milk, fish, and crustacean shellfish. The less common ones are mustard, celery, sesame seeds and food additives like sulphite. People may also be allergic to food dyes. Dyes are the colors used to make food colorful and attractive. Food dyes like tartrazine, a yellow dye used in candies and soft drinks are a common cause for allergy. All these allergies manifest same and it is not possible to guess the causative food based on symptoms.
If a person is allergic to one food, allergy to many other foods is also likely. Example, milk allergy may occur along with allergy to egg, soy or nuts. Children who are allergic to cow milk may be allergic to goat milk, or other milks. This is because the component protein structures may be similar in different milks. For this reason, if a child has an allergy to a specific food, it is important to exercise caution when selecting other foods for the child.
Milk allergy is caused by the milk proteins, casein and whey. Casein is a part of milk solids, and whey is the watery component of milk after solids are removed. Milk allergy is common in children; they usually outgrow the allergy by three years of age. Milk allergy is hence not very common in adults. People allergic to milk or milk products should not also consume pasteurized milk.
Individuals who are allergic to peanuts, almonds, walnuts, cashews or any other nut should not only avoid nuts but also nut-containing foods, such as cookies, baked products, ice creams and sauces. Additionally, individuals who are allergic to nuts should avoid foods that are likely to be contaminated with them. Foods that are produced using machinery that also processes certain nut-containing food may trigger an allergy, even if they do not contain nut products. Individuals can also be allergic to fish, shellfish or seafood.
If you have a wheat allergy, you may have to avoid wheat-containing foods, such as breads and pasta. You can replace wheat flour in your diet by using rice flour or potato starch flour or corn flour. You may also have a grain allergy to similar proteins, such as rye, oats and barley.
Individuals with a soy allergy must abstain from consuming soy-containing foods, such as soy flour, soy milk, etc.
Individuals with an egg allergy may either be allergic to the white or yolk of an egg. In both cases, they must avoid eating foods that contain eggs. Examples of such foods include cakes, pastries, biscuits, and more. Additionally, foam on coffee and other beverages may contain eggs. To prepare egg-free recipes, baking powder can be substituted for eggs.
Outgrowing food allergies- Is it possible?
Most food allergies begin in the first few years of life. Depending upon the food component and the response of the individual, children outgrow some food allergies. Milk allergy lasts a few years and vanishes by late childhood. Peanut and tree nut allergies, on the contrary, are not lost over time. How long a particular allergy lasts in an individual is also variable. Some children remain allergic to milk for few months and others for many years before the allergy finally dies out. A more persistent allergy to food is common in people who have other allergic or hypersensitivity diseases such as allergic asthma, allergic inflammation of the skin, etc.
Living healthy with a food allergy
Living with a food allergy can be challenging. However, awareness and precaution can help you or your children to enjoy a wide variety of foods while avoiding those that contain the substances that cause an allergic reaction.