Food Allergies and You
In a true food allergy, your body's defense system, called the immune system, reacts to a certain food or food component as if it were a harmful substance. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to a food usually develop within a few minutes to an hour after eating the food.
- If you are allergic to a particular food, you may first feel itching in your mouth as you start to eat the food.
- Your nose could become stuffy or itchy.
- You might start sneezing.
- Your eyes could itch and develop tears.
- You may get swelling of the lips, face, tongue, throat, or other parts of your body.
- After the food reaches your stomach, you may have symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach cramps.
- Your skin could become red, itchy, or develop a rash.
Anaphylaxis
For some people, an allergic reaction to a food is uncomfortable but not serious. For others, an allergic food reaction can lead to death. A life-threatening reaction caused by allergy is called anaphylaxis (an-uh-fuh-LAK-suhss). Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:- Hoarseness, throat tightness, or a lump in your throat
- Wheezing, chest tightness, or having a hard time breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
- Tingling in the hands, feet, lips, or scalp
- Cold, clammy grayish or bluish skin
Problem foods
In adults, the foods that most often cause allergic reactions include:- Shellfish, such as scallops, oysters, shrimp, crayfish, lobster, and crab
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts, such as walnuts, cashews, and pecans
- Fish
- Eggs
Diagnosis and treatment
If you have food allergy symptoms shortly after eating, see a doctor or allergist. If possible, see your doctor when the allergic reaction is occurring. This will help your doctor diagnose your problem.The best treatment for a food allergy is to avoid eating the foods that cause your symptoms. This may require reading the ingredients on food labels to make sure that the foods don't contain anything that might cause you to have symptoms.
If you have anaphylactic reactions to certain foods, your doctor may give you a prescription for injectable epinephrine. You need to carry this medicine with you at all times so that you or someone you're with can give you an emergency injection if needed.
Source: Womenshealth.gov
Related Articles:
-
Zyrtec Liquid Gels, 40 Count pregnancy in pictures – click on the image below for more... Read Full Story » -
Equate – Children’s Allergy Relief 10 mg, 12 Tablets (Compare to Zyrtec) Equate – click on... Read Full Story » -
Product Name: Filtrete 2002DC-6 Ultra Allergen Reduction Filters, 1500 MPR, 20 x 20 x 1, 6-Pack... Read Full Story » -
Benadryl Allergy – 124 Ultratab Tablets Benadryl – click on the image below for more... Read Full Story »
