2. What is food allergy ??
◦ Food allergy is a medical condition where your immune system
mistakenly treats something in a particular food (most often, the
protein) as if it’s dangerous to you. Your body reacts to the food (an
allergen) by having an allergic reaction.
◦ Food allergies occur when your body overreacts to the proteins in
specific foods. This overreaction is called an allergic reaction.
3. What are the types of food allergies?
◦ You can have an allergy to any type of food. Eight types of food account
for about 90% of all food allergies. These foods are:
◦ Eggs.
◦ Fish.
◦ Milk.
◦ Peanuts.
◦ Shellfish.
◦ Soy.
◦ Tree nuts.
◦ Wheat.
4. How common are food allergies?
◦ Food allergies affect more than 50 million Americans. About 4% of adults have food allergies. Food allergies
affect up to 6% of Children’s .
> How do food allergies affect my Body ??
Your immune system identifies and destroys harmful bacteria and viruses. When you have a food allergy, your
immune system mistakenly identifies a food protein as something harmful. Coming in contact with that protein
triggers an allergic reaction.
5. Are food allergies the same as food
intolerances?
◦ Food allergies are not the same as food intolerances. Allergies cause a response in your
immune system. Allergies can be life-threatening.
◦ Food intolerances cause a response in your digestive system. You may be able to eat a
small amount of a food you are intolerant to without experiencing symptoms.
Intolerances can be uncomfortable but aren’t usually dangerous.
◦
6. What are the symptoms of food allergies?
◦ Usually, you experience food allergy symptoms within two hours of eating. The symptoms of food allergies
can range from mild to severe. If you have an allergic reaction, you may experience:
◦ Hives or skin rash.
◦ Swelling of the lips or eyelids.
◦ Itching mouth and throat, tongue swelling.
◦ Hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing.
◦ Cough, wheezing or shortness of breath.
◦ Abdominal pain, vomiting , diarrhoea.
◦ Light-headedness or loss of consciousness.
7. Are there any life-threatening symptoms of
food allergies?
◦ The most severe allergic reaction to a food is anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a rapidly progressive reaction that
sends your body into shock. It can make it hard or impossible to breathe. Without medical treatment,
anaphylaxis can be life-threatening.
How are food allergies diagnosed?
◦ Food allergies cause similar reactions each time you eat a trigger food. To make a diagnosis, a healthcare
provider may ask you:
◦ How long it takes for your symptoms to develop.
◦ What and how much of a certain trigger food you ate.
◦ What symptoms you experience and for how long.
8. What tests are used to diagnose food
allergies?
◦ If you suspect you have a food allergy, allergy/immunology providers can perform a skin test to confirm it.
During a skin test, your healthcare provider:
◦ Applies a small amount of different types of allergens (allergy-causing substances) to your skin on your
arms or back.
◦ Makes tiny pricks or scratches through the allergens.
◦ Measures your reactions to the allergens after tests have been in place for 15 minutes.
◦ Areas of your skin that become red and itchy indicate an allergy. Your healthcare provider uses this
information to determine what you’re allergic to.
◦ Your healthcare provider may also use a radioallergosorbent blood test (RAST). A RAST checks the levels of
allergic antibody to different allergens in your blood. Raised levels of specific antibodies can indicate an
allergy.
9. MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT
How are food allergies treated?
◦ When you know what foods you are allergic to, the best approach is to strictly eliminate those foods from
your diet and to have emergency medications including epinephrine auto injectors available at all times in
case of accidental ingestion and reaction. It’s important to seek emergency medical care immediately after
using an epinephrine auto injector. Wearing a medical alert identification indicating your food allergies is
also recommended.
◦ Your healthcare provider may prescribe medicines that reduce your allergic reaction symptoms. These
medicines include:
◦ Epinephrine (for example, EpiPen® or Auvi-Q), a lifesaving emergency medication that immediately begins
reversing symptoms of anaphylaxis.
◦ Antihistamines, medications that reduce itching or congestion.
◦ Corticosteroids to reduce swelling if you have a severe allergic reaction.
10. How can I avoid food allergy triggers?
◦ To avoid the foods you are allergic to, you must carefully check the ingredient labels on food products.
Food manufacturers must clearly state on the label if a product contains any of the eight most common food
allergens.
◦ Some labels use precautions such as “may contain” or “made on shared equipment.” If you have any
questions about what you can and can’t eat, ask your healthcare provider.
11. ◦ Read food labels carefully for ingredients and anti-allergy warnings.
◦ Wash any shared pots, pans, or kitchen utensils thoroughly after every use.
◦ Carry an allergy card to share with restaurants, coffee shops, and anywhere you eat, and
tell restaurant staff clearly about your allergy and how severe it is.
◦ Ask detailed questions about menu items. Recipes can change, certain ingredients may
contain hidden allergens, and cross-contamination can happen in kitchens.
◦ Avoid unpackaged foods and buffet-style restaurants where contamination may be less
regulated.
◦ Write down a list of actions to take in the event of an allergic reaction so you and others
around you know what to do in an emergency.
◦ Bring at least one dose of your medication with you at all times.
PREVENTION
