Allergies are generally caused due to adverse response of the immune system to the environment or the surroundings.
Food allergies are not reactions such as food intolerance, toxin mediated reactions or other medical conditions like pharmacologic reactions.
Food allergies are the adverse immune responses to food proteins. The most common of food allergens that hit adults are eggs, fish, shellfish, pea nuts or tree nuts. For children, milk and peanuts are found to be heavily allergy causing.
Allergic reactions caused by Immunoglobin- E are typically termed as type 1 hypersensitivity. The onset and starting symptoms of such reactions are pretty drastic. Often they lead to Angiodema, due to which soft tissues like eyelids, lips, tongue or face may swell up. Due to Angiodema, the often the larynx passage may be blocked, causing difficulties in breathing. Another common symptom of course is hives that needs no special introduction. Itchiness accompanied by red swelling and stinging sensations are also a kind of type 1 hypersensitivity. The itching can be on the skin, eyes, throat or even lips. Other types of hypersensitivity like the gastrointestinal hypersensitivity include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach cramps. Nasal congestion is a prominent
allergy like rhinorrhea. Shortness of breath, difficulty in swallowing and scratchy throat are included typically in an allergy group known as wheezing. A serious allergy called Anaphylaxis happens due to allergic reaction of the whole body. In severe case this might lead to death!!
Food allergies can also be Ig E mediated or non Ig E mediated. Typical examples of such allergies are allergic eosinophilic gastritis, allergic eosinophilic esophagitis or allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Non Ig E mediated
allergies can take the form of Food protein proctocolitis, commonly known as proctitis or Food protein-induced Enterocolitis syndrome. When the immune system reacts violently to protein gluten, a disease commonly known as Coeliac disease is observed. This is one of the leading examples of the allergy known as Food protein-induced enteropathy. Often during infancy or childhood, adverse reaction to milk and soy proteins are found in the body. This condition is known as Milk- soy protein intolerance.
Another common symptom is the Heiner Syndrome which affects the lungs. This is mainly due to the milk protein or Ig G formation in the body. In case the patient’s condition gets acute, there could arise a condition where there is profuse bleeding of the lungs, medically termed as Food protein-induced enteropathy.
Though
food allergies are triggered mainly by milk, eggs, peanuts and so on, east Asia shows a major symptom of rice allergy. This is because rice forms the staple diet of most East Asian countries. While celery allergy is more common in Central Asia, many Japanese are allergic to the buckwheat flour used to manufacture Soba noodles. Some people in Sydney, Australia, are
allergic to red meat that is consumed in major quantities there.
Though allergies rarely become complicated issues, it is always advisable to consult for medical help. The diagnosis can be done by an allergist using the skin prick testing method or by blood testing. Food challenges are also considered a great method to
diagnose allergies.
