Food Allergies

Food allergies are on the rise. But sometimes people mix up food allergies with food intolerance. Food allergies affect the body’s immune system where as food intolerance means when you cannot absorb or digest certain substances. Lactose intolerance is a case of food allergy.

Food allergies can lead from mild to severe arrest. The most dangerous food allergy reaction is called anaphylaxis. This infrequent, yet potentially fatal response to an allergen can lead to difficulty in breathing, sudden fall of blood pressure, unconsciousness, throat constriction which will require immediate medical attention.

Food allergies can happen at any point of your life, but generally it is common in infants and young children. Common food allergens are eggs, fish, cow’s milk, soya atta, wheat, fish, pea nuts, almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts. A person allergic to a certain food is also allergic to another food which belongs to the same group.

Most of the times allergens can be easily identified because symptoms will develop immediately after eating the food with the allergen. But if you are allergic to certain food and you are still not confirmed about it then just write it down in a diary the time and content of all the meals and the appearance timing and intensity of symptoms, if any. Eliminate the food foe a week and if there are no symptoms of vomiting, itchy mouth or anything, then the food that you are allergic to has been discovered.

There are various ways by which you can avoid food allergy. Once you identify the allergen then completely stop eating it. When you are buying any food like biscuits, cakes or sauces carefully read the ingredients. If your child is allergic to certain kind of food then inform the teachers regarding it. When you are eating out don’t stop yourself from asking the chef about the ingredients used in the food.