Food Allergies

If you find that you are frequently ill or simply just do not feel up to par, the secret to your health problems may very well be food allergies. While most of us are aware that certain foods such as peanuts and shellfish can prove to be life threatening for some individuals, what we may not know is that many common foods can be the source of health problems such as diarrhea, cough, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. In its most serious form, food allergies can cause what is known as anaphylaxis, which is a condition in which numerous symptoms may occur at once, such as a drop in blood pressure, swelling of the tongue and a narrowing of the breathing tubes.

While it may be difficult to believe that something as common as your favorite food could cause these kinds of problems, what actually occurs is that your immune system mistakenly treats the food you are eating as though it is something potentially harmful to your body. As a result, chemicals are released into the body as a form of self-protection. One of these is histamine, which causes the symptoms mentioned above.

If you notice that you have certain problems frequently after eating specific foods, it’s a good idea to see your doctor so that he or she can test you for food allergies. Today, the procedure for determining whether an individual has food allergies is quite simple and relatively pain free. Usually, the test can be conducted after drawing a small sample of blood. Many insurance companies will cover the cost of the testing. You can usually receive your test results within two weeks. Your test results will generally inform you which foods may serve as allergens to you as well as to the degree to which you may be allergic to them.

A skin test may also be used to determine the extent of your allergies. This is conducted by scratching a small area of your skin and applying a liquid extract of the food or foods that may be causing you problems. A red or raised spot on the application area may indicate an allergy.

Avoidance is the best policy for treating food allergies. Upon discovering the foods which you may be allergic to, it’s important to begin reading food labels in order to make sure that you do not accidentally consume foods which may contain allergens. In the event that you do eat something to which you are allergic, it’s important to seek medical attention; especially if you are severely allergic to the food which you have consumed. If you have a serious reaction, you may need an epinephrine injection. In the event that you were determined to have a serious allergy, your doctor may have prescribed this for you in a container that looks quite similar to a pen. The epinephrine injection can help you until you reach medical assistance, but it should not be substituted for medical attention. Antihistamine medication can also help to control symptoms in the event of a reaction until you reach medical help.

 
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