Posted on February 19, 2010.
The symptoms of food allergies Symptoms of food allergy can be quite rare. You might not believe it, but only 1 in 70 adults suffer from true food allergies. Food poisoning or even food intolerance is sometimes confused with food allergy because of the similarities in symptoms. If you are not sure if you are allergic to a particular food, you should learn to decipher what classic food allergy is.
Affecting mostly children, food allergy is a disease where the immune system defends the body against a substance it considers harmful. The allergic reaction known as a sign that the body tries to overcome the allergens. Doctors usually test to determine and confirm your food allergies. They might even ask you questions about the overall health of your family for food allergy is considered partly hereditary. If your doctor finds a history of eczema, hay fever or asthma, then you have a higher risk of having a food allergy.
An allergic reaction is usually manifested by swelling and itching in the throat, tongue and mouth. Other symptoms of food allergy are skin reactions, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, wheezing, runny nose and sore, red eyes and itching. An allergic reaction may begin when you ingest the food you are allergic. The symptoms, however, could take longer, sometimes several hours. Anaphylactic shock is an allergic reaction possible. This could cause severe swelling, unconsciousness, lowering blood pressure and respiratory problems. If not given adequate medical care, it could possibly lead to death. As you can see, it is important to treat the symptoms of food allergies immediately.
Foods that cause allergies to peanuts, shellfish, nuts and fish. Some children develop allergies to cow's milk, soy, eggs, wheat and seafood If you have an allergy to a particular food, you can also have a reaction to a food allergy causing others. This is called cross-reactivity. Your dietitian and a doctor can help you identify foods to avoid and prevent allergic reactions.
If you're still not sure if you have a food allergy, you should consult a physician specializing in allergies. You will be asked questions relating to the symptoms you experience after eating certain foods, the amount of food you eat, the preparation and storage of food, medicines you have taken to relieve symptoms and effectiveness of the medication. All these elements can help diagnose your food allergy.
It is very important that you consult a specialist in food allergies. Never, under any circumstances, try to determine the foods you are allergic to yourself. You have to remember that allergic reactions can be serious and you could put in a very dangerous situation. If you are allergic to something and you touch it, your body may react bad.
Skin tests are sometimes used to diagnose a food allergy. A small amount of food extract is injected onto the surface of the skin. An allergic reaction to the extract of the food that will result in swelling and redness at the injection site. Sometimes, a false positive reaction is observed from a skin test. It would be wise to do other tests, such as a blood test for example, to confirm food allergies and complete diagnosis.
