Prevention is the Cure When It Comes to Food Allergies

Recently I had the opportunity to go to Colorado to receive training on how to teach food-allergen safety to restaurants and other food-service establishments. Did you know that up to 15 million people in the U.S. have a food-allergy? After my week in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, I have some newfound knowledge that I would like share with you.

What is a Food Allergy?

This is a serious medical condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly targets and attacks a harmless food protein (allergen). From the newly diagnosed to someone that has lived with it for years, personal research is critical to staying safe and living well with food allergies.

The difference between food intolerance and an allergy is the immune system’s ability to produce abnormally large amounts of immunoglobin E (IgE). These antibodies fight the perceived enemy (allergens) by releasing histamine and other chemicals that trigger reaction symptoms.

Almost any food can cause a reaction, but there are eight foods that account for nearly 90% of food allergic reactions in the U.S

Allergic Reactions

A reaction to food can affect several systems of the body including the skin, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract and most seriously, the cardiovascular system. Reactions can range from mild to the most severe, a life-threatening condition known as anaphylaxis.

Symptoms can appear within minutes or several hours after eating the food allergen. Keep in mind - children may show different symptoms than adults. Here is how they may describe a reaction.

Mild symptoms may have one or more of the following:

Severe symptoms may have one or more of the following:

Severe symptoms, alone or in combination with milder symptoms, could be a sign of anaphylaxis and require immediate treatment.

Currently, prevention is the cure when it comes to food allergies. Avoid the problem food and come up with a treatment plan with your doctor.  Share the plan with others so they know what to do in the event of an emergency. For more information about food allergies and how to treat reactions, visit foodallergy.org.