Food Allergy

A Food Allergy is an immunological reaction to food proteins in humans. The food protein triggering the allergic response is known as a food allergen.

Food allergens and the subsequent allergic reactions that they cause are too numerous to list.A Food allergy, unlike airborne allergies such as pollen, are considered to be relatively rare. But know that:

• 1 in 20 people will experience a food allergy (usually transient) in their lives;
• 1 in 100 people will experience a life-threatening allergic reaction caused by the allergy known as anaphylaxis.

Food allergies are most likely to affect young children and babies because they have an under-developed immune system. Children who develop food allergies can go on to suffer from eczema, asthma or hay fever. People taken off wheat or dairy products as a routine food allergy response rarely improve their exposure to allergic disease. Such diets can do more harm by reducing healthy nutrition (mainly in children).

When food allergy does occur, the allergic reactions are usually rapid onset, usually occur within 30 minutes and are often easy to identify.

They can be severe and obvious. They are mainly accompanied by throat swelling, vomiting & itching, rashes, diarrhoea, breathing difficulties and in the most severe allergic reaction is anaphylaxis which can lead to collapse and death.

Anaphylaxis is an allergic reaction involving two of the body's systems, for example respiratory and gastrointestinal or skin.. Anaphylactic deaths that are a result of insect bites or penicillin are usually very quick , usually within minutes and due to cardiac arrest, however anaphylactic deaths due to food allergies are usually due to suffocation caused by breathing difficulties.

The most common food allergies are:

   1. Shellfish

   2. Nuts - in particular Peanuts

   3. Eggs

   4. Fish

   5. Milk

Scientific studies show no evidence that milk either increases mucus production or worsens asthma!

A common allergic reaction by patients is to cold drinks (such as milk) with wheezing. This can occur whilst inhaling cool dry air whilst drinking. Bakers have been known develop asthma from inhaled wheat flour. Stopping wheat and milk will help an allergy, only if the person is allergic to wheat and milk!

The best treatment for Food Allergies is avoidance! Testing babies and children on a yearly basis can be conducted to see whether they have grown out of it.  In families prone to allergies, complete avoidance of the food triggers is the best way to avoid any adverse or fatal reaction.