Introduction
In today’s world, allergies have become a part of many people’s lives, affecting various aspects of their daily activities and well-being, including living well with food allergies.
An allergy is an immune response of the body to substances that are harmless to most people. These substances, known as allergens, can cause reactions in some people that range from mild discomfort to serious, life-threatening conditions.
Allergens are everywhere – in the air we breathe, in the food we eat, and even in things we interact with every day.
One of the most common and well-studied forms of allergy is food allergy, a condition in which the consumption of certain foods triggers an undesirable immune reaction.
Living with allergies requires understanding and managing this condition effectively. Food allergy can affect anyone, regardless of age, sex, or genetics, and in some cases, may develop even if the product was previously consumed without any problems.
This condition deserves special attention because of its ability to significantly affect a person’s quality of life, limiting their food choices and creating a constant need to be vigilant to prevent potentially dangerous allergic reactions.
This article aims to introduce you to the basics of food allergy: from how the body reacts to allergens, to common types of food allergies and symptoms, and to discuss management strategies and ways to alleviate the condition.
Understanding these aspects is key to living a fulfilling life despite having a food allergy.
Food Allergy
Food allergy is an immune reaction that occurs after consuming certain foods that the body perceives as harmful. This type of allergy can affect people of any age, but is most commonly found in children. Some allergies may weaken or disappear altogether with age.
Common food allergens include:
Dairy products: One of the most common allergies, especially among children.
Eggs: Both egg white and yolk, though the allergy is more often associated with the white.
Nuts: Including peanuts (technically a legume) and tree nuts such as almonds, walnuts, cashews.
Soy: Found in many products, including plant-based products.
Wheat: Contains gluten protein, which causes allergic reactions in some people.
Fish and seafood: One of the most serious and long-lasting allergies, often persisting for a lifetime.
Symptoms of food allergy can range from mild to life-threatening and usually appear within a few minutes to two hours after consuming the allergen:
Skin reactions:
Hives (urticaria): Causes itching, raised rashes on the skin that may appear and disappear in various places. Hives can be large or small, accompanied by swelling and redness.
Angioedema (angioneurotic edema): Deep swelling under the skin, especially around the eyes and lips, sometimes affecting the throat, which can cause difficulty breathing. This is a more serious condition and requires immediate medical intervention.
Eczema (atopic dermatitis): A chronic skin condition that causes dryness, itching, redness, and sometimes blister formation. Eczema can worsen with food allergy.
Contact dermatitis: Skin inflammation caused by direct contact with an allergen, may manifest as redness, itching, and blister formation. Generalized edema: General increase in skin or subcutaneous tissue swelling, which can spread throughout the body.
Swelling of the lips, face, tongue, and throat or other parts of the body:
Swelling most often occurs in the facial area, including the lips, eyelids, cheeks, sometimes affecting the throat and tongue. This can cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing.
Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea:
Food allergy affecting the gastrointestinal tract can manifest with various symptoms, including:
Abdominal pain – often described as spasms or colic, may be due to inflammatory processes in the stomach or intestines.
Nausea and vomiting – the body may try to expel the allergen, causing these reactions.
Diarrhea – frequent and usually liquid stool, which may be a reaction to allergens.
Bloating and gas – may arise from disrupted normal digestion or nutrient absorption.
Constipation – though less commonly associated with food allergy, can occur as a response to certain foods.
Reflux or heartburn – the reverse movement of stomach contents into the esophagus, which can be triggered by allergic reactions.
Each person may experience symptoms differently, and the severity can vary.
Nasal congestion, sneezing, or runny nose:
Nasal congestion – in food allergy, nasal congestion may arise from swelling of the nasal mucosa, caused by the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators in response to the allergen.
Sneezing – is a reflex reaction to irritation of the nasal mucosa. Allergens coming into contact with the mucosa can cause sneezing as part of the body’s immune response.
Runny nose – increased mucus production, or rhinorrhea, serves as a protective reaction to the invasion of allergens, attempting to clear the respiratory tract from irritants.
Anaphylaxis – the most serious reaction, which can cause difficulty breathing, lowered blood pressure, increased heart rate, and potentially death.
The allergic process in the body can be simply explained as follows
Encounter with an allergen: First, your body encounters something it mistakenly considers dangerous, such as flower pollen or nuts. This is known as an allergen.
Alarm: Your immune system responds to this encounter as an invasion. It begins to produce special proteins called antibodies to defend itself. At the first contact, it “remembers” the allergen and prepares for the next encounter with it.
Re-encounter: When you encounter the same allergen again, your immune system is already prepared for battle. The antibodies recognize the allergen and activate mast cells – special cells that begin to produce chemicals, such as histamine.
Reaction: Histamine and other chemicals cause allergic symptoms: the skin may itch, eyes may water, the nose may become congested, and sometimes sneezing or coughing occurs. In some cases, a more serious reaction may occur – the aforementioned anaphylaxis.
Calming down: To get rid of symptoms, people may take medications, such as antihistamines, which help block the action of histamine, or use other treatment methods, depending on the type and severity of the allergic reaction.
Thus, an allergic reaction is a kind of “misguided” response of your immune system, fighting harmless substances as if they pose a threat.
Preventing the threat of food allergy involves several important steps and precautions
Identifying the allergen:
Find out which foods you or your child are allergic to. This may require consulting with an allergist and undergoing allergy tests.
Reading labels:
Always carefully read the composition of products on the packaging, even if you have bought the product before. Manufacturers may change the formulation without prior notice.
Avoiding cross-contamination:
Use separate kitchen utensils and surfaces for preparing allergenic and non-allergenic products. This is especially important in public dining places and when preparing food at home.
Communicating with others:
Ensure that family, friends, teachers, and colleagues are aware of your allergy and understand how to provide first aid in case of an allergic reaction.
Wearing a medical identification:
Wear a bracelet or necklace with a medical ID that lists your allergies, which can save your life in an emergency.
Having antihistamines and adrenaline auto-injectors on hand:
If you have a serious allergy, always carry antihistamine medications and an auto-injector with adrenaline (e.g., EpiPen) for immediate treatment of anaphylaxis.
Informing about your allergy:
When visiting restaurants and cafes, always inform about your food allergies and verify the composition of dishes.
Planning travels:
When planning a trip, consider your allergy: choose allergen-safe places to stay, explore medical services in the region, and availability of foods safe for your diet.
Education:
Educate yourself and your loved ones on how to recognize symptoms of an allergic reaction and provide first aid.
Keeping a food diary:
If you are just beginning to identify potential allergens, keeping a detailed food diary can help identify products that cause a reaction. Record everything you eat and your body’s reactions.
Prophylactic treatment:
In some cases, an allergist may recommend prophylactic treatment, such as allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) to reduce sensitivity to certain allergens.
Consulting with a dietitian:
A professional dietitian can help create a balanced nutrition plan that excludes allergens and prevents nutrient deficiencies.
Adhering to these recommendations not only helps avoid the immediate health threat associated with food allergies but also improves overall quality of life by reducing the frequency and severity of allergic reactions.
Identifying Food Allergens
Various types of allergy tests can be used to identify food allergens. Here are some of the most common:
Skin prick tests (skin tests):
Application: A small amount of substance containing a potential allergen is applied to the skin, and then the skin is lightly pricked or scratched to allow the allergen to enter under the skin.
Interpretation: The appearance of a red spot or swelling at the site of substance application indicates an allergic reaction.
Skin prick tests (skin tests):
Application: Blood analysis for the presence of IgE antibodies specific to certain allergens.
Interpretation: The level of specific IgE in the blood correlates with sensitivity to allergens. This test can be particularly useful if skin tests are not possible (e.g., due to taking antihistamines).
Provocation tests:
Application: Under the supervision of a specialist, a small amount of the suspected allergen is given to the patient orally (orally), by inhalation (inhalation), or in other ways.
Interpretation: Observing the body’s reaction can confirm or refute the presence of an allergy. This method is used when the results of other tests are unclear, but it can be risky and should only be performed in a medical facility.
Patch test:
Application: Used to identify allergies causing contact dermatitis. An allergen is applied to a patch, which is then attached to the skin for 24-48 hours.
Interpretation: The skin reaction under the patch can indicate an allergy.
Elimination diet and reintroduction of foods:
Application: All potential allergens are excluded from the diet for several weeks, then gradually reintroduced while observing the body’s reaction.
Interpretation: The reaction to reintroducing a product can indicate an allergy. The choice of method depends on many factors, including the patient’s age, medical history, current health status, and potential risks. All allergy tests should be conducted under the supervision of experienced specialists to minimize risks and correctly interpret the results.
Strategies for Alleviating Symptoms of Food Allergy
Alleviating the symptoms of food allergy and managing them can be achieved through the following strategies:
Antihistamines:
For relieving mild allergic symptoms, such as skin rashes or itching, antihistamines are often used. They block the action of histamine, a substance responsible for many allergy symptoms.
Corticosteroids:
In some cases, corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and allergic reactions in the form of creams, tablets, or injections.
Adrenaline auto-injectors:
For individuals with severe forms of allergy, especially those at risk of anaphylaxis, it is vital to have an adrenaline auto-injector (e.g., EpiPen) on hand.
This can be used for immediate administration of adrenaline in case of anaphylactic shock.
Conclusion
In conclusion, food allergy is a serious condition that can significantly impact a person’s life. However, with the right approach and management strategies, it is possible to significantly improve the quality of life and avoid dangerous reactions.
It is important to remember that allergic reactions manifest individually in each person. Therefore, the approach to treatment and prevention should be adapted to specific needs.
If you or a loved one are dealing with a food allergy, do not despair.
There are many resources and specialists ready to assist you on this journey. From consultations with allergists and dietitians to support from community groups and educational programs – a wealth of means is available to ease your condition.
Remember, caring for your own health and safety starts with awareness and understanding of your allergy.
Education, interaction, and adaptation are key elements for successful control over food allergy. Let’s join efforts to make living with an allergy more comfortable and safe for everyone.
Thank you