Some research is being done in this area and it looks promising.Īllergen is any substance (antigen), most often eaten or inhaled, that is recognized by the immune system and causes an allergic reaction. Most people outgrow their food allergies, although peanuts, nuts, fish, and shellfish are often considered lifelong allergies. Strict avoidance is the only way to prevent a reaction. It is available by prescription as a self-injectable device.Ĭurrently, there are no medications that cure food allergies. If a label contains unfamiliar terms, shoppers must call the manufacturer and ask for a definition or avoid eating that food.Įpinephrine, also called adrenaline, is the medication of choice for controlling a severe reaction.
If a product doesn't have a label, allergic individuals should not eat that food. Reading ingredient labels for all foods is the key to maintaining control over the allergy. Strict avoidance of the allergy-causing food is the only way to avoid a reaction. Wheezing, scratchy throat, shortness of breath, or difficulty swallowing.Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, or abdominal pain.Itching of the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, or any area.Angioedema: swelling, especially of the eyelids, face, lips, and tongue.Anaphylaxis: a severe, whole-body allergic reaction that can result in death.Symptoms typically appear within minutes to two hours after the person has eaten the food to which he or she is allergic. Symptoms range from a tingling sensation in the mouth, swelling of the tongue and the throat, difficulty breathing, hives, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness to death.
When these IgE antibodies react with the food, histamine and other chemicals (called "mediators") cause hives, asthma, or other symptoms of an allergic reaction. The most common form of an immune system reaction occurs when the body creates immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to the food. Food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to a certain food.When the person eats milk products, symptoms such as gas, bloating, and abdominal pain may occur. A person with lactose intolerance lacks an enzyme that is needed to digest milk sugar. Lactose intolerance is one example of a food intolerance. Food intolerance is an adverse food-induced reaction that does not involve the immune system.Many people think the terms food allergy and food intolerance mean the same thing, however, they do not: The difference between food allergy and food intolerance 1 The difference between food allergy and food intolerance.