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A Broad Look at Food Allergies and What They Mean to Those Who Have Them

What many people view as an allergy to some type of food may only be intolerance for it. One of the most common is lactose intolerance. Sometimes, people who eat dairy products become bloated and miserable and even develop diarrhea. However, this intolerance does not affect the immune system in any way which is the primary key to a food allergy.

Food allergies are not as widespread as you might think. Less than 5% of adults have food allergies while children are at just fewer than 10% of the population. A real food allergy, sometimes referred to as food hypersensitivity, affects the immune response of your body causing reactions that could potentially be hazardous and even fatal to your health.

Causes of Food Allergies

In the case of a real allergic reaction to food, your immune system would view it as some type of germ or harmful entity and act accordingly. Special antibodies detect and fight this food allergen and histamine is then released into your bloodstream along with other substances. These substances that are released as a result of the antibody attack can cause a number of different symptoms and signs or reaction. Hives, runny nose, itchy or swelling eyes, dry throat, diarrhea, esophageal swelling and even anaphylactic shock are some of these signs.

Most food allergies (approximately 90%) are the result of some kind of protein that can be found in peanuts, shellfish, eggs, tree nuts, cow's milk, soybeans and even wheat. Many children will eventually outgrow some food allergies such as dairy products, soy and wheat however this is not a definite. Fruits, vegetables and other food products account for approximately 10% of other food allergies.

Possible Risk Factors

Family history plays a large part in whether you are at risk for food allergies. Even if other family members have non-food allergies from eczema, hay fever or asthma, this will bump up the risk factor for food allergies in you and your children. In fact, if you or your spouse has allergies, your children have a fifty-fifty shot of developing a food allergy. If both parents have allergies, the risk factor for food allergies in your children increases to over 60%.

You will notice that more children, infants and toddler than adults have food allergies. This is mainly due to the fact that their immune system is not as developed and is not equipped yet to digest certain proteins and other chemicals in food that may trigger an allergic reaction. Children eventually do grow out of many of the food allergies once their body is better able to handle those proteins and chemicals. Only with the severest of allergies (most likely nuts and shellfish) are there lifelong problems.

If a food allergy is suspected, only a doctor can accurately assess whether or not a certain food is the culprit. There are a variety of tests that can be performed as well as diet modification in order to definitively eliminate foods. Once pinpointed, avoidance is usually practiced for that specific food in addition to taking medication as needed.