Millions of people suffer from food allergies and allergy symptoms in general. In children, some of the most common foods that cause reactive symptoms include cow’s milk products, egg whites, wheat, peanuts, codfish, beans, and soy. Most food allergies in adults are caused by Brazil nuts, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, and walnuts. There are also many people who are allergic to shellfish, which if they consume accidentally would require them to get a severe allergy treatment as quickly as possible.
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Localized Food Allergies
Localized oral food allergies can occur in adults in association with silver birch tree pollen. When a localized oral food allergy occurs, people can get an itchy mouth and throat from eating things like certain fresh fruits like peaches, cherries, and apples, and also raw vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and nuts. The reaction is not usually life threatening but does exhibit itself with serious allergies symptoms.
Usually, allergy symptoms present themselves within a few minutes of eating an offending food. The most common allergies symptoms include rashes, diarrhea, swelling of the lips and face, difficulty breathing, and in severe cases, going into anaphylactic shock, which would require a severe allergy treatment as soon as humanly possible. Delayed reactions to foods with food allergies can also occur, such as aggravated eczema and celiac disease. Celiac disease is a delayed immune reaction to gluten.
Intolerance vs. Allergies
Unlike food allergies, food intolerance reactions are slower, do not involve the immune system, and are not usually life-threatening. They are often referred to as pseudo-allergic reactions. Lactose intolerance, for example, is not one of the food allergies but is an inability to digest milk sugar, also known as lactose. Lactose intolerance, unlike food allergies, does not cause rashes, hives, or lethargy.
A problem that is becoming more common today is people having reactions to preservatives and additives in foods. While these reactions may look like allergy symptoms, they are not be allergy-related. Some additives that are known to cause reactions include sulfites, salicylate, MSG, caffeine, and tartrazine. These reactions are usually dose-related, unlike true food allergies, in which a tiny amount can trigger life-threatening reactions for some people.
When something is dose-related, it basically means that the more they are exposed to something, the worse their reaction to it gets. It is important to remember that when trying to decide if someone has true food allergies or food intolerances: allergies have to do with the immune system and food intolerance reactions do not. If someone shows signs of a severe reaction to a food such as a difficulty breathing, severe swelling, or dizziness, an emergency severe allergy treatment is required.
Most Common Allergy Symptoms
The most common allergies symptoms include irritation of the skin which may include hives, eczema, and a simple rash. In more severe cases, symptoms may also include swelling of the tongue, lips, throat, face and other body parts, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, lightheadedness, and tingling inside the mouth. Anaphylaxis, the most severe allergic reaction you can possibly have, can result in life-threatening symptoms such as rapid pulse, loss of consciousness, airway constrictions, and a significant drop in the blood pressure levels. When any of these symptoms occur, immediate medical attention is required.
As mentioned, food allergy symptoms are not unique. Therefore, when these symptoms do appear, it can be difficult to know if they’re related to an allergy or if there’s another cause. Even if you’re unable to identify a symptom as a reaction to a food allergy, you’ll need to determine if a certain food is a culprit or if there’s another allergen involved. The type of allergies treatment that is right for you depends on a number of factors that your doctor should discuss with you regarding allergy information, but many of them take several weeks or months to work, so you shouldn’t delay. You’ve got to start treating your allergic reactions today.
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Posted on February 15, 2023