The basic cause of allergies is the entry of a foreign substance into the body that the immune system is not used to. These foreign substances may be pollen, dust particles, bee venom, pet dander, etc. In special cases, food is also considered as an active trigger of allergy. It may happen that some may have allergies to certain kinds of food while others don’t get affected by it.
Let’s say, for instance, you decide to eat something that you have not tasted ever before, and it triggers a reaction. You start having breathing difficulty, your tongue gets swollen up and so does your face. You feel difficulty in speaking. The reason here is the entry of food in your body that your immune system cannot recognize. The reaction of your body, in that case, is that it develops the antibodies that fight the allergens. When you eat that food again, your body fights antibodies but also releases a chemical called histamine that leads to an allergic reaction. Sometimes, people get confused with food allergy as well as food tolerance.
What increases the odds of having a food allergy?
There are some factors that can alleviate your odds of contracting food allergy-
- Having a family history of allergies. You are more likely to have allergies if both of your parents have it.
- If you have some allergic conditions like asthma, dermatitis, etc.
- If you have some medical condition then it would make it easier for allergens to pass through the walls of the stomach and create a disturbance.
- If you are an asthma patient
What are the symptoms involved?
For some people, the symptoms can be too severe that require immediate doctor consultation. Food allergy symptoms include-
- Swelling of throat or tongue
- Giddy feeling
- Itching in the mouth
- Wheezing, nasal congestion
- Abdominal Pain
- Trouble Breathing
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Eczema
What are some common triggers?
When you get allergic to food, then your immune system accidentally identifies a specific kind of food as a harmful substance. In its response, the immune system triggers those cells that are responsible for releasing the antibodies usually termed as immunoglobulin E which is responsible for neutralizing the allergy-causing food. Next time, when you eat the same food, your body senses it and signal your immune system to release the chemical which causes the symptoms of allergy.
Some common triggers include:
- Shellfish like shrimp, lobster or crab
- Fish
- Peanuts
- Eggs
- Cows milk
- Soy
- Kiwi
What could be the extreme complications?
Sometimes the complexity could get worse. It may lead to:
- Eczema
- Anaphylaxis
How to prevent it?
It is always said that “Prevention is better than cure” which means If you know what are your food triggers, you could avoid those in your diet. You can also follow some steps:
- Keep a check on what you are eating or drinking: It is important to read the brands and check whether that food item has not exhausted its expiry date.
- Regularly Visit Doctor: If you are at risk of severe reaction caused by allergens, it is necessary to immediately contact your doctor and get the proper diagnosis.
This is all about food allergies. Hope you get benefitted from it. Share it with your friends and family.
