Food Allergies: A Threat to Our Health

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Food allergy is an unfavorable reaction of the body to a food protein. It is an immune system response where the body mistakenly thinks harmful and eventually decides to create or produce IgE or immunoglobulin E to oppose the allergens. Allergens are the substance in the food that the body believes to be harmful. IgE is a type of protein that circulates around the body through the blood.

Actually, there are two components of the immune system, which is involved in any allergy. The first is the mast cell and the second is the IgE. Mast cells are special cells which can be found in all tissues around the body. Conversely, it is prevalent on the nose, throat lungs, skin and gastrointestinal tract, which are the common sites for the allergic reactions. IgE are produced by lymphocytes, which are specialized white blood cells because of the first encounter with the allergen. IgE will then stick to the mast cells. The second time the allergen goes around the body; mast cells will produce chemicals such as histamine which causes the symptoms of an allergic person.

A food allergy may show symptoms like itching or tingling in the mouth, swelling of the tongue and the throat, and difficulty in swallowing or even in breathing. This happens because as a process, the food protein or the allergen first enters the mouth then the throat. During the digestion of the food, the allergic person may experience vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and abdominal pain. All of these symptoms may occur few minutes to two hours after eating.

Reactions may be mild at first but allergies may cause severe illness and even death. Allergens can enter the blood stream because they are protein that can endure gastric juices in our stomach. After entering the blood stream the allergic person may suffer from hives, may even faint, and may experience sudden lowering of blood pressure.

There are no exceptions in having an allergy. In fact, even infants may have it. Allergies to foods may begin on the second or first year of life. Allergies to nuts, shellfish, milk and eggs are often acquired by a child. However, children can outgrow their allergies while adults can’t outgrow them. Allergies on peanut and tree nuts are said to be a life-time allergy.

An infant who is allergic may experience poor growth, blood in the stool, and may also have colic. Food allergy on infants can be diagnosed by changing their diet; it may showcase betterment or it may worsen the situation. If it shows betterment, therefore, he or she is allergic on the previous diet.

Mothers are suggested to breastfeed their young until its fourth month so as not to expose their children to any kinds of food allergies. Although there are no proofs that breast feeding may reduce the tendency of a child to obtain an allergy, breastfeeding may reduce the risk of having an allergic reaction because mother’s milk contains protein that is less foreign to babies. If ever the parents already know where their baby is allergic, breastfeeding mothers should avoid eating foods related to it.

Food allergy can be found in any kinds of food, but most of it is from milk, fish, egg, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, soy and wheat. An allergy may become so dangerous because of what we call anaphylaxis. Anaphylactic reaction may cause sudden death if not treated immediately. Anaphylactic shock is regarded as the sudden lowering of blood pressure; thus, it may show mild symptoms at first but will certainly be severe after a few minutes.

What is more difficult about having an allergy is that people tend to get their allergy on the food they often eat. Furthermore, even those products that are just related to the food you are avoiding to eat may also cause allergic reactions. So, be cautious on what you eat so as not to put your life at risks. Be smart and healthy eaters!

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