Hong Kong Allergy Tips: Food Allergy

Reference source:

http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/foodallergy.stm

If you have a Food Allergy, your immune system overreacts to a food. This is caused by an antibody called IgE (Immunoglobulin E), which is found in people with allergies. Food Allergy is more likely to develop in someone who has family members with allergies. Symptoms may occur after you consume even a tiny amount of the food.
Most allergens can cause reactions even after they are cooked or have undergone digestion in the intestines. There are some exceptions. For example, some allergens (usually fruits and vegetables) cause allergic reactions only if eaten in their raw form. Symptoms are usually limited to the mouth and throat.
The most common food allergens are the proteins in cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish and tree nuts.

In some food groups, especially tree nuts and seafood, an allergy to one member of a food family may result in the person being allergic to other members of the same group. This is known as cross-reactivity.
Cross-reactivity is not as common with foods from animal groups. For example, people allergic to cow's milk can usually eat beef, and patients allergic to eggs can usually eat chicken.

With shellfish, crustaceans (shrimp, crab and lobster) are most likely to cause an allergic reaction. Molluscan shellfish (clams, oysters, scallops, mussels, abalone, etc.) can cause allergic reactions, but reactions to these shellfish are less common. Occasionally, people are allergic to both types of shellfish. 

Symptoms of Allergic Reactions to Foods
Symptoms of allergic reactions are generally seen on the skin (hives, itchiness, swelling of the skin). Gastrointestinal symptoms may include vomiting and diarrhea. Respiratory symptoms may accompany skin and gastrointestinal symptoms, but don't usually occur alone.

Severe Allergic Reactions
Anaphylaxis (pronounced an-a-fi-LAK-sis) is a serious allergic reaction that happens very quickly. Without immediate treatment-an injection of epinephrine (adrenalin) and expert care-anaphylaxis can be fatal. Follow-up care by an allergist/immunologist, often referred to as an allergist, is essential.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include difficulty breathing, dizziness or loss of consciousness. If you have any of these symptoms, particularly after eating, seek medical care immediately (call 911). Don't wait to see if your symptoms go away or get better on their own.

Diagnosis
An allergist is the best qualified professional to diagnose Food Allergy. Your allergist will take a thorough medical history, followed by a physical examination. You may be asked about contents of the foods, the frequency, seasonality, severity and nature of your symptoms and the amount of time between eating a food and any reaction.

Allergy skin tests may determine which foods, if any, trigger your allergic symptoms. In skin testing, a small amount of extract made from the food is placed on the back or arm. If a raised bump or small hive develops within 20 minutes, it indicates a possible allergy. If it does not develop, the test is negative. It is uncommon for someone with a negative skin test to have an IgE-mediated Food Allergy. 

In certain cases, such as in patients with severe eczema, an allergy skin test cannot be done. Your doctor may recommend a blood test. False positive results may occur with both skin and blood testing. Food challenges are often required to confirm the diagnosis. Food challenges are done by consuming the food in a medical setting to determine if that food causes a reaction.

Outgrowing Food Allergies
Most children outgrow cow's milk, egg, soy and wheat allergy, even if they have a history of a severe reaction. About 20% of children with peanut allergy will outgrow it. About 9% of children with tree nut allergy will outgrow it. Your allergist can help you learn when your child might outgrow a Food Allergy.

Treatment
The best way to treat Food Allergy is to avoid the foods that trigger your allergy. Although it has been shown that just smelling peanut butter will not cause a reaction, sometimes food allergens can be airborne, especially in steam, and can cause reactions. Boiling or simmering seafood is a particular offender.
Always ask about ingredients when eating at restaurants or when you are eating foods prepared by family or friends. 

Carefully read food labels. The United States and some other countries require that eight major food allergens are to be listed in common language, for example, "milk" rather than a scientific or technical term, like "casein."
Carry and know how to use injectable epinephrine and antihistamines to treat emergency reactions. Teach family members and other people close to you how to use epinephrine, and wear an ID bracelet that describes your allergy. If a reaction occurs, have someone take you to the emergency room, even if symptoms subside. Afterwards, get follow-up care from an allergist.

Food allergies can be confusing and isolating. For support, contact the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) at (800) 929-4040 or visit www.foodallergy.org. 

Healthy Tips

• The most common food allergens are the proteins in cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish and tree nuts.
• An allergist is the best qualified professional to diagnose a Food Allergy. Testing performed by an allergist often helps determine if foods are causing your symptoms.
• Some food allergies can be outgrown.
• The best treatment is to avoid the foods that cause your reaction.
• Read food labels carefully and ask about ingredients at restaurants or when eating food prepared by another person.