What are Food Allergies? How to treat them?
What is Food Allergy?
Our body’s own immune system reacts to certain food ingredients and take it as harmful substance. There are total 9 type of foods which cause food allergies.
According to Asthma and allergy Foundation of America About 32 Million people in US only have Food allergies. Globally 10.8% people get food borne allergy, which prove it the most common but overlooked issue.
How many Food allergies are there?
Majority of the food related allergies are triggered by certain proteins in these 9 type of foods only.
- Fish
- Crustacean shellfish
- Tree Nuts
- Peanuts
- Wheat
- Soybean
- Sesame seeds
- Milk
- Eggs
Causes of Allergy
According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) latest report, the actual reason of allergy is still unknown. They believe family history, genetics and age are some aspects of allergy development. Young children are more prone to develop allergy than old children and adults.
Symptoms
For some people these symptoms are mild but can be life threatening to others. Symptoms usually develop within few minutes to several hours after taking offending food.
Common Signs and symptoms after taking offensive food are below:
- Wheezing, troubled breathing or nasal congestion
- Irritation, hives or eczema.
- Fainting in severe cases, dizziness etc.
- Abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting or nausea
- Swelling of face, lips, throat or any other part of body
- Tingling or itching in mouth or any other parts of body
- Severely low blood pressure or may cause shock (“Anaphylactic shock”)
- Throat swelling may cause suffocation
Food Allergy safety
In order to protect yourself or your loved ones from food allergy. Take these measures
Read Food Label
The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) Act of 2004 listed American food labeling requirements. In which 8 types of food allergens are identified on label. while 9th allergen (sesame) is also declared now and effective from 1st Jan, 2023.
Make sure to read label carefully before purchasing.
Always carry First aid
If you are allergic then your doctor may prescribe you an Epinephrine pen. This is a first line defense against anaphylaxis.
Report Labelling Concerns
If you find any product or mislabel which is not providing you complete information about allergen and you get reaction. You can complain it to FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator to the state where that food was purchased.
