Certain foods can trigger an allergic reaction in certain people. Just a small portion of the allergen can trigger all kinds of symptoms which can be life threatening. Signs of a food allergy include inflamed air passages, hives or digestive disorders. Food allergy can spark a deadly reaction call anaphylaxis.
About 7 percent of children younger than three years old will suffer from a food allergy at some point. While some children do outgrow a food allergy, the condition is present in about 3 per cent of adults. Sometimes, people will develop a sensitivity to foods that they never had a problem with before.
Swelling is a common side effect of a food allergy. It can start to obstruct breathing and swallowing. Abdominal pain, cramps, diarrhea or vomiting are possible. You could have itchy skin, hives, redness or a rash. If you are feeling warm, jittery or sweaty, you could be showing signs of a food allergy. Headaches are also a common side effect. Shock is another sign of a food allergy, as is as a severe drop in blood pressure. A rapid pulse, mental confusion or dizziness can also be signs of anaphylaxis. If you are wheezing or having difficulty breathing, it could be a sign of anaphylaxis. A severe food allergy reaction can also lead to unconsciousness.
Anaphylaxis can be fatal. You need urgent medical attention. This usually means an injection of adrenaline to open up your airway, and raise your blood pressure. Life support systems may be necessary. You should seek help immediately if you experience signs of anaphylactic shock. Your brain is being starved of oxygen due to a decrease in blood pressure. Your air passages may swell, cutting of the oxygen supply to the lungs. You should look for allergy symptoms along with signs of anaphaylactic shock.
Benadryl may be your first line of defence because it will treat the allergic reaction and may stop your body from going into shock. Ephedrine is used to treat severe cases of anaphylactic shock. An injection of adrenalione or epinephrine will constrict the small blood vessels, raise the blood pressure and dilate the airway. This may be followed by injection of antihistamines and/or steroids, plus the use of life-support systems.
Some common food allergies that can cause anaphylactic shock include seeds, nuts, peanuts fish, tomatoes and eggs. Some people can also develop a severe food allergy reaction during or after exercising. It is a good idea to abstain from food for a few hours before exercising. Another food allergy condition is called pollen food allergy syndrome or oral allergy syndrome. People who have hay fever may develop an allergic response. when they consume certain vegetables, fruits or nuts. People who react in this way may experience tingling or itching in the mouth. In some cases, this can cause swelling of the throat or anaphylaxis. Scientists have found that these substances contain similar proteins to those found in some pollen. Melons and ragweed allergy have been connected. Birch pollen allergies can also lead to reactions to apples. Cooking foods can help eliminate this reaction.
Many people can have an unpleasant reaction to certain foods. This is called food intolerance. If you have food intolerance, you could see a delayed negative reaction to a certain food. The intolerance can involve the digestive system. It could affect other body parts or systems. Food intolerance usually means your body isn’t making the enzyme or chemical you need to break down the food. Lactose intolerance is a good example. This means you don’t produce enough of an enzyme called lactase to digest the milk. The symptoms can be confused with irritable bowel syndrome. If you develop reactions to certain foods, you should talk to your doctor to diagnose your condition.