Food allergies
Specialty of Nutrition & dietetics
What are food allergies?
When the body’s immune system reacts unusually to specific foods, it is called a food allergy. The body mistakenly produces an antibody when a specific food that triggers the allergy has been consumed. The antibodies start a process that releases histamine for the body to fight what it thinks is invading it. Finding out which foods are causing the symptoms can be more difficult for some people. Food allergies can take a while to diagnose.
What are the symptoms of food allergies?
An allergic reaction to food can happen within minutes, or it may happen hours later. The most common signs of a food allergy include:
- Tingling and itching in the mouth
- Hives or eczema
- Swelling: lips, face, tongue or throat
- Wheezing and trouble breathing
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting
- Light-headedness
Sometimes the symptoms can be life-threatening and this type of reaction is called anaphylaxis. If someone is severely allergic to certain foods, they need to have an epinephrine (adrenaline shot) as soon as possible.
Which foods are the most common to cause an allergic reaction?
Any foods can cause allergies but the most common ones to do so are:
- Milk
- Eggs
- Nuts but peanuts in particular
- Soy
- Wheat and grains that contain gluten
- Shellfish
How are food allergies diagnosed?
It is advised to keep a food diary so that the doctor can look for any trigger foods. A food elimination diet can help in seeing if the reaction goes away. Following an elimination diet, oral food challenges can be held under medical supervision. The patient may have a radioallergosorbent blood test to see how many antibodies that their immune system makes. There is also an allergy skin test, called a scratch test.
How are food allergies treated?
It is recommended to stay away from foods that cause the food allergy. Mild allergies will go away without needing to be treated. Antihistamines can help to reduce some skin allergies and other itchy symptoms. In more serious cases, corticosteroids will reduce swelling. In dangerous cases, an epinephrine injection can reverse symptoms.
How can a person prepare for a food allergy reaction?
A specialist can suggest what works as a healthy and nutritious diet. It is important to check the labels and ingredients in processed foods. If prone to allergic reactions then a doctor will prescribe an epinephrine injection kit, which should be carried with the person at all times.
What is the difference between food allergies and food intolerance?
Food allergies and intolerances may have similar symptoms but are different conditions. Intolerances can cause a person to fell ill, whilst a food allergy can make someone feel unwell but can also mean a life-threatening reaction. A food intolerance means that the body cannot digest the food that is eaten or that the digestive system has become irritated. Symptoms include bloating, nausea, gas, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. A food allergy is when the body’s immune system sees food as an invader, which releases the histamine causing reaction symptoms such as breathing problems, swelling, a drop in blood pressure and vomiting.
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Articles related to Food allergies
Is there a link between eczema and food allergies?
By Dr Adam Fox
2019-01-23
Food allergies seem to have increased dramatically over the last few decades – for example peanut allergy cases have tripled in just over a decade and now almost one in 50 children in the English-speaking world are affected. Similarly, eczema seems to be in the rise. Could there be a connection? Paediatric allergist Dr Adam Fox is here to explain. See more
Food allergies in young children - what you need to know
By Professor George Du Toit
2019-01-23
Food allergies can be difficult to identify, but left untreated they can sometimes be serious. We asked leading paediatric allergist Professor George Du Toit how to spot the signs of an allergy in children, what types of food allergy children grow out of, and what allergies need treatment. See more
Experts in Food allergies
-
Dr Adam Fox
Paediatric allergy & immunologyExpert in:
- Food allergies
- Eczema
- Asthma
- Allergic rhinitis
- Allergic urticaria
- Anaphylaxis
-
Professor George Du Toit
Paediatric allergy & immunologyExpert in:
- Food allergies
- Asthma
- Eczema
- Drug allergy
- Allergic urticaria
- Allergic rhinitis