What are the types of Food Allergy and how to prevent them ?

1
What are the types of Food Allergy and how to
prevent them ?

• Allergy is an exaggerated reaction of the immune
  system to certain, normally harmless
  environmental substances. These substances are
  called allergens.
• Types of Food Allergy
• There are two types of Food Allergy Primary and
  Secondary Food Allergies.
• Primary Food Allergies usually first appear
  during childhood. The symptoms appear shortly
  after consumption (2 hours at most) of certain
  food substances.
• In Secondary Food Allergy there is an underlying
  allergy to pollen or dust mites. Some elements in
  foods are similar to these allergens and may
  trigger allergic reactions.
• Clinical symptoms in Food Allergies
• EYES redness, watery, swelling
• MOUTH Swelling of the lips, tongue, gums and/or
  larynx, itching of the mouth and throat
• SKIN Rash, hives, redness, itching
• STOMACH Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain,
  diarrhea, heartburn
• RESPIRATORY Nose itch, running
• LUNGS cough, tightness in the chest, wheezing
  breath sounds, difficulty breathing
• ANAPHYLAXIS Shock, drop in blood pressure,
  elevated pulse, brief unconsciousness

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• How a child describes allergy reaction
• Put hands to mouth, pull or scratch tongue,
  voices may change
• May comment that Food is too spicy
• My tongue is hot, something is poking it
• My mouth is tingly, itches, or feels funny
• My tongue feels full, my throat feels thick
• The foods that most frequently trigger allergic
  reactions
• Peanuts, fish, cows milk, wheat and chicken
  eggs. Allergies to cows milk or chicken eggs
• may diminish over time as children grow up. In
  some cases, they may in fact be able to consume
  the foods after a few years. However, allergies
  to peanuts, fish are usually life-long.
• Exercise induced anaphylaxis
• Usually occurs within two hours of eating the
  allergenic food. Onset is during physical
  activity.
• Foods most frequently reported to have induced
  exercise-induced anaphylaxis
• Wheat (omega-5-gliadin) and other grains
• Shellfish (shrimp oysters)
• Chicken
• Squid
• Peaches and other fruits
• Nuts especially hazelnut
• Peanuts and soy beans

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• Skin test
• Lab tests
• Oral food challenge
• Elimination diet
• Double-blind food challenge
• Treatment Options
• Avoiding the allergens is the safest measure when
  suffering from food allergy. Allergy sufferers
  often report that the symptoms are much lesser
  outside of the pollen season. Many foods
  especially some fruits and vegetables when
  heated, can be consumed without a problem.
• Patients who have had severe allergic reactions
  to food allergens in the past (Anaphylaxis
  Breathing problems, dizziness, drop in blood
  pressure) should keep an emergency kit with them,
  which usually contain an antihistamine, a
  corticosteroid (cortisone) and an adrenaline
  injection.
• How can one avoid development of Food Allergy?
• Identify those at risk
• Consult a doctor
• Consider breast feeding
• Maternal diet avoiding eggs, cow milk, peanuts,
  fish
• Children and Food Allergy
• For babies, discuss formula options with doctor
• Dont introduce solid foods too early wait
  about 6 months
• Wait on foods with common allergens
• Cow milk age 1
• Eggs age 2

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• Following are the intolerance events
• Food poisoning
• Histamine toxicity (happens on consumption of
  cheese, wine, fish)
• Lactose intolerance
• Food additives (MSG in taste makers)
• Gluten intolerance
• Corn products
• In case of true allergy avoid food (this
  prevents the reactions in the immune system)
  Intolerance small amount is ok (usually
  tolerated by the digestive system)
• Being safe from Food Allergies
• On the processed food package, read the
  ingredient lists on food products carefully. This
  will help you to trace the allergens in the food
  (e.g. nuts).
• For people with food allergies, it can often be
  difficult to identify the trigger. Hence maintain
  an allergy book, which will help you to remember
  or someone else to identify substances
  causingallergy in you.
• If you have an allergic reaction to fruit, heat
  it before eating. Some allergens can be destroyed
  this way, which can make the fruit more
  tolerable for you.
• Resources
• Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN)
• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and
  Immunology
• Food and Drug Administration
• USDA National Agriculture Library
• If you have any allergy related issues feel free
  to contact Allergy Specialist in Bangalore - Dr.
  Puneeth KN for a consultation.