Food allergy is an adverse reaction of the body’s immune system with certain types of food with high level proteins. Different people are allergic to different foods. However, there are eight common foods that usually contain food allergens. The most common food that causes an allergic reaction to the children are eggs, tree nuts, peanuts and milk while adults are allergic to tree nuts, peanuts, fish  and shellfish. In the United States, alone almost 12 million people suffer from food allergy, 3% are children and 4% adults. Anaphylaxis is also one kind of food allergy that can be serious and deadly if not intervene correctly.

Causes, Symptoms and Preventions

Some causes of food allergy are eating food that can stimulate your immune systems to react to the protein substance of the food. As you can read in an earlier page I have cited on what foods to avoid so that allergy would not occur.

Food allergy should not be mistaken for food intolerance and food poisoning because this is usually the case. However, you will know if you have an allergic reaction with the food if you feel an itch or skin rashes, a swelling in the mouth and tongue, and sore, red eyes. There is also a chance that you will feel some of these symptoms:

  • •    swelling of lips
  • •    coughing, wheezing
  • •    vomiting, diarrhea

In preventing food allergy, always avoid the ones that can trigger the allergens in your food. Look at the labels and go to stores that specialize in food for allergic people.

In case you have an anaphylaxis allergy be sure to wear a bracelet that lets people know about your allergy.

Bring a pre-loaded adrenaline syringe just in case an emergency occurs.

Let your friends, teachers and colleagues know about your sickness so as to prepare them if worst case happens.

For milder food allergy you can take a does of antihistamines.

Related sites:
http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/food_allergy.html
http://www.foodallergy.org/allergens/index.html


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