Food allergies

The type and severity of symptoms vary from one person to another. The symptoms include:

Skin symptoms:

• Angioedema (swelling under the skin)
• Urticaria (itching)
• Flushing
• Warm feeling

Respiratory symptoms:

• Chest tightness
• Wheezing
• Cough
• Swelling in tongue, palate, or uvula
• Upper airway stridor (high-pitched breathing sound)
• Hoarseness of voice
• sneezing

Gastrointestinal symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea

Cardiovascular symptoms:

• Tachycardia (increased heart rate)
• Bradycardia (decreased heart rate)
• Chest pain
• Hypotension (decreased blood pressure)
• Syncope (fainting)
• Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rate)
• Heart palpitations

Neurological symptoms:

• Headache
• Altered mental status
• Seizure
• Dizziness

General symptoms:

• Anxiety
• Pallor
• Weakness

Did you know? Food and skin allergies are very common in children. Read about the common causes of skin allergies in kids. Tap now.

Food allergies refer to an abnormal immunologic response to a food that occurs in a susceptible person. These reactions happen each time the food is ingested and are often not dose-dependent. Based on the immunological mechanism involved, food allergies may be caused by the following responses:

• IgE-mediated: These reactions are mediated by antibodies belonging to Immunoglobulin E (IgE) and are the best-characterized food allergic reactions.
• Cell-mediated: In this type, the cell component of the immune system is responsible for the food allergy, primarily involving the gastrointestinal tract.
• Mixed IgE mediated-cell mediated: This occurs when both IgE and immune cells are involved in the reaction.

Foods that can commonly cause allergic reactions:

In young children:

• Cow’s milk
• Egg
• Peanut
• Soy
• Tree nut
• Shellfish

In adults:

• Shellfish
• Peanut
• Tree nut
• Fish

There is no way to accurately predict who will develop a food allergy, but certain factors can increase the risk. These include:

Risk Factors During Pregnancy

• Tobacco smoke: Exposure to smoking increases the risk of sensitization to food allergens.
• Unbalanced diet: Studies have shown a link between maternal diet and the risk of childhood asthma and other allergic diseases.

Food habits during pregnancy are important! Read more about what foods to eat and what to avoid.

Risk Factors During Childbirth

• Birth via cesarean section: Children born through cesarean section might have an increased risk of developing food allergies.

Risk Factors After Childbirth

• Gut microbiota: The presence of specific bacterial strains can influence the development of food allergy.
• Infections: Exposure to infections in early childhood might increase susceptibility to allergic disease by altering the development of the immune system.
• Age of the introduction of solid foods: Introduction of solids into a child's diet from the age of 7 months or later is associated with a higher risk of food allergy or intolerance.

Other Risk Factors

• Family history of allergic diseases: Having a single family member with a history of allergic disease increases the risk of food allergy in the child.
• Infant eczema: Studies suggest that any break in the skin (which can happen due to eczema) increases the chances of exposure to the allergen.
• Vitamin D deficiency: A deficiency of vitamin D is considered a possible risk factor for food allergy development.
• Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs): These are derived from cooked meat, oil, and cheese, and have a high concentration of sugar. AGEs initiate signals that lead to the development of food allergies.
• Age: Food allergies are more common in children, especially toddlers and infants.
• Asthma: Asthma and food allergy commonly occur together. Individuals with food allergies have a higher risk of developing asthma and rhinitis.
• Race: Racial differences have also been associated with a higher prevalence of food allergy.
• Sex: Males are known to be at a higher risk of food allergies than females.

Clinical history along with allergy and other lab tests are used in the identification of allergen triggers. These include:

Patient’s history and examination

The patient’s clinical history and examination are the first-line approaches in diagnosing food allergy. It includes a systematic review of the patient’s diet, the timing of the first and last occurrences of similar allergic reactions, and a history that considers the symptoms of allergic reactions to food.

Laboratory tests

• Skin prick test (puncture or scratch test): This test inspects for immediate allergic reactions to different allergens at the same time. It is usually performed on the forearm in adults and on the upper back in children.
• Serum-specific IgE: This test, known as RAST (Radioallergosorbent testing), measures how much IgE your body makes in response to a single allergen and is preferred when the skin prick test is not suitable or not available.
• Atopy patch tests (APT): This test is used to assess delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions.

Other tests

• Oral food challenge (OFC): The gold standard for food allergy diagnosis. During this test, the allergist feeds the suspect food in measured doses. With each dose, the allergist will watch the individual for a period of time for any signs of a reaction.
• Endoscopy and biopsy: These may not be very useful for the detection of food allergy, but are used to diagnose non-IgE-mediated disorders.

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Dealing with food allergies can be daunting. As we know, prevention is better than cure. Strategies for the prevention of food allergies may include:

• Primary prevention: Seeks to prevent the onset of the reaction.
• Secondary prevention: Aims to interrupt the development of the reaction.

Prevention in pregnant women: Some food allergies can develop in the womb, and unborn children may be sensitized to the foods their mothers consume. Understand what foods to avoid during pregnancy and explore more dietary tips.

Prevention in breastfeeding mothers: It has been hypothesized that mothers may inadvertently sensitize their children to certain foods through breast milk. However, there is little evidence that changing a mother's diet while breastfeeding prevents food allergies in infants. What does every new mother need to know? Read more about five foods to eat while breastfeeding.

Prevention during infancy: The prevention strategies include:

• Age at introduction of solid foods: Studies found reduced food allergy when solids were introduced as early as 4 months.
• Supplements: Postnatal fish oil consumption is associated with decreased food sensitization and food allergies in infants, providing an intervention strategy for allergy prevention. Shop from our widest range of omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil supplements.

Prevention for older children and adults: The prevention strategies for children and adults include:

• Avoidance of allergens: This is very important but not always easy. Some allergens are easier to avoid than others. If avoiding an allergen is difficult, try to reduce your contact with it.
• Taking medicines as prescribed: These can be helpful for managing the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
• Maintaining a diary: This is to track what you eat, when symptoms occur, and what seems to help. This may assist you and your doctor in identifying what causes or worsens your symptoms.
• Eat 2 hours before exercise: Some food allergies can be triggered by exercise, so to prevent that from happening, it is advisable to eat 2 hours prior to exercising.

There is currently no treatment for food allergies, except for the avoidance of the responsible food or foods. Once a food allergy is diagnosed, strict elimination of the offending food allergen from the diet is necessary.

In the case of accidental exposure:

• The treatment of choice during accidental exposure leading to a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is an adrenaline (epinephrine) injection. It is administered by intramuscular injection into the thigh.

Medicines to manage the symptoms:

• Antihistamines: They can relieve gastrointestinal symptoms, hives, sneezing, and a runny nose.
• Bronchodilators: They can relieve the symptoms of asthma; however, they are not effective in preventing an allergic reaction when taken prior to eating the food.

Know how to tackle allergies in a risk-free way.

The best way to avoid unpleasant symptoms of a food allergy is by avoiding the food entirely. Though the list of remedies that can work for food allergies is short, it can be very effective. If there is a mild reaction, here are some home remedies that can prove beneficial to relieve food allergy symptoms:

• Ginger (Adrak): Ginger is believed to help speed up digestion, which may benefit those with stomach discomfort and indigestion caused by trigger foods. It can also prevent gas and reduce bloating and cramping.
• Probiotics: Unbalanced bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can play a role in many chronic conditions, including food allergies. Probiotics have been found to be preventive and therapeutic against food allergies.
• Lemon (Nimbu): Lemons are high in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps maintain a robust immune system and protects against infection and disease.
• Green tea: Green tea is rich in antioxidants and can help fight inflammation. Certain studies suggest that green tea can hinder mast cell activation and block histamines, which can be helpful for allergic reactions.
• Carrots (Gajar): Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to increase immune cell numbers and activity. Drinking large amounts can lead to carotenemia, which can cause your skin to turn slightly yellowish.

Read more about the benefits of carrots that are good for your health.

Food allergy is an important public health problem that affects children and adults. Food allergy complications include:

• Anaphylaxis: A life-threatening condition that can lead to constriction and tightening of the airways.
• Respiratory distress: Exposure to food allergens can trigger respiratory symptoms, such as isolated asthma or rhinitis in rare cases.
• Heart attack: Cardiovascular symptoms can be the sole manifestation of exercise-induced food allergies.

Food allergies can be irritating, but mild ones do not generally cause significant problems. Apart from regular medications, there are other therapies that have proven to be beneficial. Some of these include:

• Chinese Herbal Therapies: Studies suggest that an herb-based formula (FAHF-2) used in traditional Chinese medicine may be an effective approach to food allergy treatment that is not specific to any one food allergen and can potentially be used to treat multiple food allergies.
• Acupuncture: This practice involves inserting hair-thin needles into the body at strategic points to relieve specific symptoms. Acupuncture supports the immune system and can alleviate symptoms associated with seasonal and food allergies.
• Homeopathy: Homeopathy works by correcting the immune responses of individuals rather than suppressing or modifying the immune system. It has proven beneficial for individuals with allergic reactions or allergic diseases.

Read about 6 homeopathy facts that everyone should know.

Food allergies are not very serious and do not affect the quality of life in most cases. All you need to do is make certain lifestyle modifications and learn to manage in case of emergency. A number of general strategies and tips may be helpful in managing food allergies. A few of them include:

• Always read the food labels: Read every label, every time to see whether any additives contain milk protein or byproducts of wheat, or whether a food was produced in a facility that processes nuts. Manufacturers frequently change ingredients, and an allergen may be part of a new formulation.
• Take care while cooking: It's a good idea to have two sets of cooking and eating utensils—one exclusively for the allergic person. All dishes and utensils should be thoroughly washed in hot, soapy water between uses.
• Be extra cautious while dining out: Dining out may seem fun, but if an unknown food allergen is consumed by mistake, it can lead to complications. It is wise to let the manager or chef know about the food allergy before placing the order.
• Wear a medical ID bracelet: Make sure it lists relevant information about your food allergy and always carry your medication, ideally two doses.
• Know what to do during an allergic reaction: If someone is suffering from a severe allergic reaction:

• Call the local medical emergency number immediately.
• Check if the person is carrying an epinephrine auto-injector.
• Help the person inject the medication by pressing the auto-injector against the person's thigh.
• Make the person lie face up and be still.
• Loosen their tight clothing and cover the person with a blanket.
• Turn the person to the side to prevent choking if there's vomiting or bleeding from the mouth.
• Position the patient in the Trendelenburg position, i.e., lying flat on the back with legs elevated, in order to allow blood flow to the heart.
• If there are no signs of breathing, coughing, or movement, begin CPR (start uninterrupted chest compressions at a rate of about 100 per minute).

Correct first aid can help save a life! Know more about step-by-step instructions for emergency management.