What is a food allergy?

Written by Paris Kazemian

What is an allergy?

When the body’s immune system overreacts to a typically harmless substance, an allergy occurs. Allergens are things that can cause an allergic reaction. The allergens that cause an allergic reaction might be found in our daily diet, our surroundings (such as pollens, grasses, moulds, dogs, and cats), or our medications. There are many levels of allergies that people might have. In this topic, I am going to focus on FOOD ALLERGY.

Exactly what is a food allergy?

A food allergy is, to put it simply, an adverse immune reaction to a dietary protein. The immune system of the body fails to understand a dietary protein and causes a reaction. When this occurs, the immune system misunderstands the situation and launches an allergic reaction against the person. In newborns and young children, food allergies are most prevalent.

Typical allergen foods

While you can be allergic to anything, nine substances cause 90% of food allergies. The most common allergen foods are:

• Egg
• Milk
• Peanut
• Nuts
• Sesame
• Wheat
• Soy
• Fish and seafood

Starting Point of a Food Allergy

Your immune system activates when you consume a trigger meal or beverage. The first time, you won’t have allergy symptoms, but your body will be on the lookout for that substance in the future. The next time you consume it, your body will release the chemical histamine because it feels the food is harmful.

What types of reactions are possible?

Usually, reactions occur quickly after consuming the offending foods. The level of the allergy and the amount of the allergen food affect the types of reactions.

• Hives or another skin rash
• Tingling or itching in your mouth
• Redness and swelling of your face, tongue, or lips
• Coughing or wheezing
• Vomiting, diarrhea, or belly cramps
• Swelling of throat and vocal cords
• Breathing problems
• Anaphylactic shock

Food allergy can also manifest as persistent eczema on the face and arms, and sometimes there is no clear connection between eczema and particular food.

Symptoms can sometimes be life-threatening. This is called anaphylaxis. When this occurs, you can experience breathing issues and a reduction in blood pressure. If you have food allergies, your GP may advise you to carry epinephrine shots with you at all times. Finally, at the first sign of Anaphylactic symptoms call 000 if you are in Australia

Food allergy in Australia

Basically in Australia, up to 40% of kids will experience allergies at some point in their lives. The most prevalent allergy diseases in kids include hay fever, asthma, eczema, and food allergies.

In Australia, 1-2% of adults and 6-8% of kids have food allergies. So it is very important to get diagnosed as soon as possible

Food allergy in kids

Food allergies are most prevalent in newborns and young children. When young child has food allergies, they frequently have many food intolerances, but by the time they are five years old, they usually only have one or two food intolerances.

Fortunately, most kids recover their sensitivities to milk, eggs, soy, and wheat before they enter school but most of the time, allergies to shellfish, nuts, and peanuts frequently last into adulthood.

Allergy in children should be properly diagnosed by an allergy specialist or immunologist using accurate tests. Normally, children who are allergic to common foods like dairy or grains may experience serious nutritional consequences from their diet. In this situation, the parents have to get nutritional advice from a dietitian in order to ensure optimal nutrition and appropriate food substitutes.

Is it possible to avoid infants from food allergies?

According to the Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy,

1. Whenever your baby is ready, which should be between six and four months but no earlier, start giving a variety of solid foods, starting with those high in iron, while you continue to breastfeed.
2. In the first year of life, all infants should be eaten allergen food-containing solid foods, such as peanut butter, cooked eggs, dairy, and wheat products. This includes young children who are highly allergic.

How to make sure I have a food allergy?

You may need tests to find out if you have a food allergy.

1. Blood test: A blood test is performed by your doctor to check how your body responds to various triggers.
2. Skin prick test: The most popular one is the skin prick test. A drop of liquid is applied to your skin by an allergist, who then picks it to allow the liquid to absorb. You are not allergic if there is no reaction.
3. Supervised food challenge:  While a doctor monitors, you eat foods to see if you react.

Food allergy treatment

To treat the symptoms of a food allergy, you need to consult with your GP. Basically, there are primarily 2 types of medications that may be used for food allergy treatment.

1. Antihistamines: used to treat mild to moderate allergic reactions.
2. Adrenaline: used to treat severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)

Also, People with potentially serious allergies are often prescribed adrenaline auto-injectors to carry at all times. These can help stop an anaphylactic reaction becoming life-threatening. They should be used as soon as a serious reaction is suspected, either by the person experiencing anaphylaxis or by someone helping them.

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