What causes food allergies?
You develop a food allergy when your immune system incorrectly identifies a protein as something that’s harmful. After tagging the protein, your immune system activates an allergic response every time you consume that protein.
Most food allergies are caused by the proteins found in:
- Peanuts
- Milk
- Eggs
- Tree nuts
- Wheat
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Soy
Though children can outgrow some food allergies, they can have serious symptoms for years. Additionally, only 20% of children outgrow peanut allergies. Peanut allergies are the most common allergy in children and the second most common in adults.
What symptoms develop if I have food allergies?
Most people associate food allergies with gastrointestinal problems, but they can cause a broad range of symptoms.
You or your child may experience:
- Abdominal pain
- Itchy mouth or ears
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Wheezing
- Hives
- Fatigue
- Skin rash
Food allergy symptoms usually appear within a few minutes to two hours of eating your allergenic food, but the symptoms can be delayed as well.
Do food allergies cause a severe allergic reaction?
Food allergies can cause a potentially life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, and shellfish are most likely to cause a severe reaction.
Anaphylaxis occurs rapidly, causing symptoms such as swelling in your lips, tongue, and/or throat, difficulty breathing, nausea, and fainting. This allergic reaction requires an immediate injection of epinephrine and emergency medical attention to prevent shock.
How are food allergies treated?
Your provider at Allergy & Environmental Treatment Center, LLC reviews your medical history and symptoms. Then they conduct a thorough diagnostic analysis, including allergy testing, to determine which foods may be responsible for your allergies.
Once they target your specific allergens, your treatment may include:
Avoiding foods
The primary treatment for a food allergy is eliminating the foods, beverages, medications, and other products that contain your allergen.
Rotation diet
During a rotation diet, you eat foods which have tested safe every two (2) - four (4) days and avoid your allergenic foods for 4 months or possibly longer.
If you need testing or treatment for a food allergy, call Allergy & Environmental Treatment Center, LLC, or book an appointment online.
