Some common food allergies
Tabinda Salman
Hello All,
We eat different types of food daily. Sometimes when we try different foods, they may cause some harmful effects on our body. It might happen, If we eat certain food and our face swells up or if we get a bad skin rash, that is a food allergy. These types of foods are identified by our immune system as something harmful has entered our body. In response to our immune system, the cells in our body are triggered and as a result, they release antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to neutralize the harmful food (the allergen) that has entered our body. After the immune response the mechanism that takes place in our body works in such a way that whenever you eat even the smallest amount of that harmful food, the IgE antibodies sense it and signal the immune system to release a chemical called histamine, as well as other chemicals, into the bloodstream.
Food allergic responses
Histamine and other chemicals released as an immune response cause a range of allergy signs and symptoms. In some реорlе, fооd аllеrgу can cause severe ѕуmрtоmѕ or even a lіfе-thrеаtеnіng rеасtіоn knоwn as аnарhуlаxіѕ. Fооd allergy affects an еѕtіmаtеd 6 to 8% of children who are under the age of 3, and up to 3% of adults. As there’s no such specific treatment for the food allergy they may last in children as they get older.
Following are some allergic responses caused as a result of food allergy:
· Dripping nose
· Itchy eyes
· Dry throat
· Rashes and hives
· Nausea
· Diarrhoea
· Laboured breathing
· Watery eyes
· Congestion
· Headaches
· Sneezing
· Fatigue
· Migraines
· Irritable bowel
· Colitis
· Auto-immune diseases
· Hyperactivity
· Asthma
· Eczema
· Anaphylactic shock
If anyone has a severe food allergy, even a tiny amount of food may trigger an allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis begins as soon as a person eats allergic food. Less commonly, symptoms may begin hours later. It also happens in 25% of patients that they may experience a second wave of symptoms just after their initial symptoms subsides. This is called biphasic anaphylaxis.
Main Food products that cause food allergy
The majority of food allergies are triggered by:
ü Milk
It's the most common food that induces allergy. The lactose present in milk is the main cause of allergy.
ü Nuts: Peanuts, Tree nuts, such as walnuts and pecans
The nuts can drive you nuts when it comes to allergies. Allergic reactions begin just after you munch a handful of peanuts.
ü Wheat, barley, rye
They are grouped up together for a reason. All these foods contain a thing called gluten which induces allergy.
ü Shellfish- such as shrimp, lobster, and crab
This type of allergy mostly affects adults.
ü Egg
Eggs are smooth, tasty, and easy to cook but they cause allergic reactions sometimes.
How to cure food allergies?
There are different ways to cure food allergies. The best method for you will depend on the severity of your allergy and your age.
Oral immunotherapy (OIT)
It is the most widespread treatment for food allergies. This method of treatment deals with a wide variety of food allergies and even the severe ones can also be treated with this method. Treatment typically takes at least a few months, and you will have to continue to eat your allergens regularly for at least a few years after finishing treatment. This treatment doesn’t require medication which is why it is not approved by FDA.
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT)
This treatment method builds tolerance for allergens by introducing them slowly under your tongue. During this treatment, a few drops are placed under the tongue at least once a day. It works well for young patients.
FAHF-2
It is a treatment that is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The purpose of this method is to balance the immune system. This treatment method has also been shown to be extremely effective for eczema, asthma, and other conditions that are frequently associated with food allergies.
The Viaskin patch
This method builds tolerance for allergens by introducing them through your skin. The patch is not currently widely available but is in clinical trials but may be broadly available and FDA approved as early as 2017 for peanut, and soon after for milk.
Natural methods to avoid food allergy
Anti-inflammatory foods
Cut down the intake of inflammatory foods such as milk, sugar, and gluten. Avoiding these foods helps to relieve symptoms. Milk is the basic food to avoid because it increases the production of mucus and makes allergies worse. By doing so the person often feels so much better that they stick to it, at least during a time of allergy. Increasing water intake is also very helpful. Many of us are dehydrated, so it is important to make an effort to keep ourselves hydrated during an allergy.
Herbal Remedies
Herbs are healing for allergies. Herbal medicine has the ability to give relief from allergies in the best way. Ginger root has got anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antihistamine properties. It is advisable to drink water or ginger tea daily for a period of allergies. Best of all, add honey to the drink, which helps your body build local allergy tolerance.
If you continue to expose yourself to an allergen, it will frequently become worse and can actually cause the development of more allergies. When the children grow up to the age of 16 most of the childhood allergies go away.
On behalf of NAYS-Pakistan, we would like to suggest that if you are allergic to certain forms of food avoid the intake of such food items because you never know when your allergy will get worse, and your life would be at stake. Today we are all aware of the big health problems that exist in the world, but we tend to forget the basic problems like allergies and do not consider them as serious. We neglect them which then results in severe health issues. Allergies are sometimes caused due to our negligence towards our health. However, scientists and researchers are working on testing foods and their effects on different people, and they have developed some really useful and helpful tests to help us know about what we are allergic to and how to cope with that.
Article: Ms. Sundeela Fayyaz
Best Regards,
Chief coordinator
National Academy of Young Scientists (NAYS) Pakistan,