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If you have a child or a loved one with a food allergy, you should avoid the allergen until the symptoms disappear. The main way to avoid symptoms is to avoid the allergen altogether. In this article, you'll learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of this type of allergy. We'll also explore how food cross-reacts with other foods. If you suspect your child may have a food allergy, contact your doctor for a diagnosis.
Symptoms
If you have ever had a severe reaction to a certain food, you may be suffering from a food allergy. The most common types of food allergy reactions are allergic reactions to tree nuts and peanuts. Another 5% to 30% of people are allergic to other legumes. About ten percent of people are allergic to shellfish and fish. People with a food allergy experience symptoms like rapid itchiness, hives, and swelling of the tongue and lips. In some people, the reaction to a food may even be life-threatening.
The immune system mistakenly perceives certain proteins as foreign, triggering a response in the body. These reactions range from mild to life-threatening. Anaphylaxis, which is a serious reaction, can occur after exposure to even small amounts of the problem food. Food intolerance, on the other hand, causes milder symptoms that do not cause immediate harm, but may still require medical attention. These include itchy rash, tongue swelling, and throat pain. In severe cases, food allergies can be fatal.
Although most children grow out of their food allergies by middle school, others can be lifelong. Peanut and tree nut allergies, for example, are more serious and can lead to anaphylaxis, and these are generally diagnosed as allergies in the adult stage. However, food allergies are common, and the rates of these diseases have increased dramatically in the last 20 years. Anaphylaxis-related deaths are rare. In addition to allergies, there are several other conditions that may mimic food intolerance. Some people are sensitive to dairy products and lactose, while others may have food allergies to other ingredients.
Although there are no medicines to prevent or cure food allergies, you can take steps to avoid these symptoms. Avoiding allergic foods and dairy products is essential, but you should consult your GP or dietitian before taking drastic measures. Taking antihistamines will relieve mild allergic symptoms, while higher doses will control acute allergies. For severe cases, adrenaline is an effective treatment. If the symptoms are too severe, you can also get an auto-injector pen that contains adrenaline.
Treatment
Although there is no established cure for food allergies, there are several treatments for milder symptoms. Some medicines, such as antihistamines, can help alleviate symptoms of acute allergic reactions. These medicines work well for treating allergic reactions in people whose skin is affected by an allergen. Some studies have shown that probiotics and prebiotics are effective at treating food allergies. However, more research needs to be done before making any changes in your diet.
Food allergy symptoms vary widely and can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening anaphylactic shock. A doctor will diagnose the exact source of the allergy and treat the symptoms. Anaphylactic reactions, on the other hand, require immediate medical attention. Delayed treatment can result in a coma or even death. It is important to seek medical care for food allergies as soon as possible. To avoid the dangers of anaphylactic reactions, see a doctor.
Current treatments for food allergy aim to reduce symptoms of accidental exposure and increase the tolerance to the allergen, but these methods are only partial and often provide only temporary protection. The ideal biologic therapy would target the key mediators in the type II immune pathway that lead to the development of atopic march. Such a treatment would provide long-term protection against food allergies. For example, a vaccine targeting the inflammatory response would be effective for the treatment of food allergy.
In addition to medications, treatment for food allergies can involve a diet modification, nutritionist advice, and a diet change. Nutritionists may also be able to help children with food allergies with poor growth or with feeding behavior problems. A child with food allergies may benefit from consulting a speech and feeding therapist. For severe food allergies, a hospital visit may be necessary. The first step is to make sure your doctor is able to identify the triggering food.
Prevention
There is little evidence that avoiding certain foods during pregnancy and lactation prevents the development of food allergies. But that doesn't mean parents shouldn't try. Dr. More recommends that they include as much diversity as possible in their baby's diet to reduce the likelihood of food allergies. And, she says, introducing children to common food allergens during the first few months of life isn't as scary as it sounds.
Food allergies can be very serious and can even lead to anaphylaxis. Common symptoms include skin irritation, hives, rashes, and itchiness. Gluten intolerance is a type of allergy characterized by difficulty digesting wheat proteins. Lactose intolerance is a type of milk allergy that occurs due to a lack of an enzyme that breaks down lactose. However, symptoms can mimic other medical conditions and require the help of a pediatrician.
A rational approach to food allergy prevention must consider the diversity of mechanisms involved in pathogenesis. Although IgE-mediated disorders account for the majority of cases, other immunologic and non-immunologic mechanisms may be involved. However, prevention of food allergies begins with recognition of the problem and identification of the person at risk. The identification of an individual at risk will require documentation of allergic reactivity. The best methods for early detection and treatment include taking into account the risk factors for developing food allergies, and avoiding them as early as possible.
A number of interventions have been tested in high-risk populations. These include families with a history of allergic disorders and infants with food sensitization. In addition, some studies have assessed the effectiveness of prevention programs on a population level without excluding specific populations. Such studies are relevant to public health policies. However, they may be difficult to implement in real life. Therefore, school nutrition professionals, transportation staff, and mental health workers should be informed about the guidelines and practices of school food allergies.
Cross-reactivity between foods
The concept of cross-reactivity between different types of foods is not new. There are several families of related proteins that can cause reactions. A cashew allergy may increase the risk of being allergic to mango and pistachio. It is also possible to have allergies to several other kinds of shellfish. The full clinical implications of cross-reactivity are not yet clear. Patients with food allergies should avoid these foods in order to minimize the risks.
The most reliable way to prevent cross-reactivity between different foods is to avoid them. This may be difficult in extreme cases, where the allergen is particularly prevalent during pollen season or at high temperatures. However, you should not rush into introducing new foods to your diet without consulting a nutritionist. Additionally, carry an emergency kit of medications. Your kit should contain adrenaline auto-injectors, corticosteroids, and antihistamines.
In addition to animal proteins, plant proteins can cause allergic reactions in humans. The cross-reactivity between different food groups depends on the conservation of each protein. Some foods have high antigenicity and thus may cause anaphylaxis. In such cases, sensitization to homologous proteins will mediate cross-reactivity. However, the degree of cross-reactivity is not well understood. It is important to remember that cross-reactivity between different foods should not be equated with allergy.
There is no single test to determine if you have a food allergy. A thorough history and physical examination are needed. Skin tests and RASTs are important components of the diagnosis. Oral food challenges should be part of individualized treatment for your specific needs. These tests cannot replace guidance. So, if you suspect you have a food allergy, seek a board-certified allergist for further testing.
Oral immunotherapy
Oral immunotherapy for food allergies is a relatively new strategy for treating allergic rhinitis. This therapy consists of gradual exposure to allergens in small doses over several months. The initial trials of peanut-based OIT showed promising tolerability, and the rates of anaphylaxis were low. However, further studies are needed to determine whether OIT can induce permanent tolerance. The FDA has approved this treatment in children and adolescents, and it has several important safety considerations.
The oral immunotherapy treatment for food allergies is not readily available everywhere. Only 200 allergists in the United States offer it. Many parents must fly long distances to receive treatment, including one family that moved to Utah to receive this treatment. The procedure has helped hundreds of patients, but isn't universally available. The researchers say it's the most rewarding thing they've done in 40 years of practice. But it's important to recognize that some families may be unable to undergo oral immunotherapy.
While most OIT trials focused on adolescents, some reports show that it's also effective in children. In children, it may be necessary to undergo a food challenge to confirm the diagnosis of IgE-mediated food allergy. However, this test is only useful if the patient's medical history is convincing. Moreover, it may also inform a patient's initial escalation dose. The frequency of the food challenge is a consideration, but more research is needed to fully understand its relevance.
During the treatment, patients must be counseled on the symptoms of anaphylaxis and carry an auto-injector. Strict avoidance of allergens is important, and the likelihood of a reaction increases if the patient is ill, has recently undergone dental work, or has recently had a medical procedure. Moreover, patients with autoimmune diseases must discuss the compliance with medication and whether or not their family members can attend scheduled appointments.
