Food allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies certain proteins in food as harmful and triggers an allergic reaction. This can range from mild symptoms, such as itching or hives, to severe, life-threatening reactions known as anaphylaxis. Here are some key points and implications of food allergies:

Common Food Allergens
The most common food allergens include:
Peanuts
Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts)
Milk
Eggs
Wheat
Soy
Fish
Shellfish

Symptoms of Food Allergy

Food allergy symptoms can appear within minutes or hours after consuming the allergen. Symptoms include:
Skin reactions: Hives, redness, or swelling.

Gastrointestinal issues: Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.
Respiratory issues: Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or nasal congestion.
Anaphylaxis: A severe, life-threatening reaction that can cause swelling of the throat, difficulty breathing, a sudden drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness.
Diagnosis

Food allergies are typically diagnosed through a combination of:

Patient history

Skin prick tests: Small amounts of the suspected allergens are introduced to the skin to see if a reaction occurs.
Blood tests: These measure the immune system's response to specific foods by checking for the presence of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies.
Oral food challenge: Under medical supervision, the patient consumes small amounts of the suspected allergen to monitor for reactions.
Implications of Food Allergies

1. Lifestyle Modifications
Food allergies can significantly impact lifestyle, especially for individuals who need to carefully monitor their diet. Avoiding even trace amounts of allergens is crucial, which often requires reading labels carefully and being cautious when dining out. Cross-contamination in food preparation areas is also a concern.

2. Risk of Anaphylaxis
For those with severe allergies, anaphylaxis is a constant risk. Many people with food allergies carry an epinephrine auto-injector (e.g., EpiPen) for emergencies. This life-saving device helps to reverse the symptoms of anaphylaxis and must be administered quickly after symptoms appear.

3. Impact on Children
Children with food allergies often face challenges in school settings, where allergens may be present in lunches, snacks, or class activities. Schools and caregivers must be educated about the specific allergies and know how to respond to allergic reactions.

4. Emotional and Social Impact
Food allergies can lead to anxiety, especially in social settings or environments where food is shared. People with allergies might feel isolated or stressed about accidentally ingesting an allergen.

5. Nutrition Concerns
In cases where major food groups (e.g., dairy, and nuts) are eliminated due to an allergy, individuals need to ensure they get proper nutrition from alternative sources. For example, those allergic to dairy may need to find alternative calcium and vitamin D sources.

Management of Food Allergies

There is no cure for food allergies, so management focuses on strict avoidance of the allergen and preparedness for accidental exposure. Management strategies include:

Reading food labels: Avoiding products that contain or may contain allergens.

Educating family, friends, and caregivers: Ensuring those around the allergic individual know how to recognize and treat an allergic reaction.

Carrying epinephrine: Having an epinephrine injector on hand at all times.

Regular checkups: Monitoring the allergy, as some children may outgrow certain allergies (e.g., to milk or eggs).

Dr Geranmayeh