Food allergy - what is it and how is it tested
Have you ever eaten a food that made you feel very ill, or worse had to go to the hospital because your body reacted severely to eating certain foods? These reactions could be caused by a food allergy. Food allergies are a result of the body’s immune system responding to proteins found in the food we eat. Sometimes this reaction is a minor, but in the cases of anaphylaxis which is a severe allergic reaction that occurs rapidly and causes a life–threatening response which can lead to difficulty breathing and shock ultimately leading to death.
The body’s response to a food allergy can take many different forms and affect different body systems.
*In the digestive system a person can experience stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting or abdominal pain. These can be similar to symptoms of Gastro-enteritis, irritable bowel syndrome or Lactose Intolerance, so it is very important to get properly diagnosed in order to receive the correct treatment.
*In the respiratory system, food allergies may manifest as runny nose, scratchy throat, coughing, sneezing, or wheezing. In more severe reactions you may experience shortness of breath or difficulty swallowing. If you ever have a more severe reaction it is recommended you seek medical attention immediately.
*Skin reaction which can appear as hives, eczema, itching eyes, skin, mouth or throat. You may experience more severe reactions of swelling of the face, lips tongue or throat. These reactions must be treated immediately as this can lead to breathing difficulties.
*It may affect also effect your nervous system and sometimes the connection between mood swings and mental depression is not always easily recognizable.
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What exactly is a food allergy?
Most are under the classification of an Immunoglobulin E (IgE) response. These are antibodies that are produced in the body that attack non-disease causing substances, which in this case are proteins found in certain foods. Some people are genetically predisposed to have this type of immune response. When a certain type of allergen passes into the digestive tract, the body releases IgE and this also causes chemicals such as histamines to be released. This leads to swelling. In the case of the intestinal lining, this change can lead to digestive problems.
Diagnosis is usually done by an allergist, who will perform skin prick tests and blood tests.
* Skin prick testing is most commonly performed on the forearm, although it is sometimes preformed on the back. The forearm is first cleaned with alcohol, then a drop of allergen extract is placed onto a marked area of skin. Using a sterile need, a small prick through the drop is made. This allows a small amount of allergen to enter the skin. If you are allergic, a small lump will appear after about 15-20 minutes. While the skin prick test can determine if the body will have a reaction to a certain type of food allergen, it cannot predict what reaction might happen if a person ingests that food allergen.
* In blood tests, the level of IgE antibodies is measured. There are certain average levels of accepted IgE levels for certain foods and if they are higher than that then a person is considered to have a food allergy. In general blood tests are less likely to accurately detect allergies than the skin test, and may give misleadingly falsely positive or false negative results.
So what can be done if you have a food allergy?
There is no cure for food allergies. It is recommended that you avoid any foods that you have an allergy too. Many labels on foods now state that there are certain kinds of potential food allergens either in the food or around the food; it is also a great idea to ask at restaurants if the food contains any potential food allergens. If a person suffers severe reactions to food allergens they may be prescribed an Epipen which administers epinephrine which can halt the allergic reaction. Or reduce the severity of a allergy reaction.
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