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Information About Food Allergies And Those Who Treat Them

Food allergies are quite common everywhere in the world today. Food is essential for the growth and health of all individuals, which is why food allergies are so important to understand and to be able to cope with. Those we trust to treat food allergies are called Allergists. Allergists are physicians who have received additional specialized training in allergic diseases, and how to provide care for those who suffer from allergies including an individual who suffer from food allergies.

The most common food allergies are to peanuts, tree nuts including walnut, cashew, almond, pecans, hazelnuts, and Brazil nuts and also milk, eggs, soybean, fish and also shellfish.

The food allergy reaction usually occurs within a matter of minutes to an hour after eating the food item containing the food allergen. If a person is experiencing a delayed symptom that occurs after this time period it may not be a food allergy but an adverse reaction to food additive, food poisoning, or food intolerance.

Common food allergy symptoms are skin rash, hives, swelling of the tongue, skin around the lips, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, wheezing, asthma and difficulty breathing such as shortness of breath. There may also be extreme reactions such as drop in blood pressure, fainting, loss of consciousness or even death.

A doctor who specializes in the treatment of allergies including food allergies is an allergist and is someone who has committed to going 2 to 3 additional years of schooling in order to specialize in the field of allergy treatment and prevention. Allergists can make a diagnosis, recommend treatment, and provide ongoing care of those who suffer from allergies. They are a good source of information about preventing allergic reactions especially when food is the allergen. Food allergies can be fatal and the care that an allergist gives can be life-saving and is therefore very rewarding work.

If an individual has mild allergies a family doctor may treat them. Because food allergies can be life threatening the individual with food allergies is usually referred to an allergist because they are specialist and the individual will get the best care when being treated by someone who can give this kind of specialized care. They have the latest knowledge, techniques, and tools needed to properly care for someone with food allergies.

Your family doctor can refer you to an allergist, or you can locate an allergist in your local area in the U.S., by contacting the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology online at http://www.acaai.org/ where you can find a list of members in your local area.