Food Allergies - Reasons, Symptoms, Precautions, and Treatment
Why do some people have allergies to certain foods?
A report has been published in one of the medical magazines of America in which experts have presented different opinions about allergies to certain foods and drinks. But most of them have consensus that allergies begin due to the immunity system. Allergies from foods or drinks are due to proteins present in them. The immune system understands that this protein is harmful to the body. So, when this protein enters the body, the immunity system of the body makes an antibody (a kind of protein) which is called Immunoglobulin E.
This antibody targets the protein that enters the body. When a person consumes food containing this protein again, the antibody produces chemicals, including a substance called histamine. Typically, histamine plays a beneficial role in the immune system. Therefore, experts struggle to understand how immunoglobulin E and the production of histamine lead to the manifestation of allergy symptoms. This information indicates that eating the food for the first time may not trigger an allergy, but consuming it again might induce an allergic reaction.
Why can't the stomach digest some of the foods?
Some people have allergies to some foods and drinks, just like some people's stomachs can't tolerate some foods and beverages. This problem belongs to the digestive system, not the immune system. Therefore, no antibodies are made. In fact, the deficiency of an enzyme (a chemical substance) may be the reason, or some specific chemical substances in the food can't be easily absorbed in the stomach. For instance, some people can't digest sugar in milk because their stomachs don't produce the necessary enzymes to digest the sugar in milk and its products.
Antibodies are not produced due to the indigestion of food, which results in symptoms appearing when a person eats a particular food for the first time. Sometimes, the stomach digests a small amount of the food, but if the food is over-consumed, the stomach fails to digest it. Conversely, even small amounts of certain foods and drinks can be deadly for individuals with allergies to them.
Symptoms
The following can be the symptoms of allergy to certain foods and drinks:-
- Swelling of the throat, eyes, or tongue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Milk
- Eggs
- Fish
- Animals having shells like Prawns, Shrimps, and Crabs
- Peanuts
- Soybeans
- Dry Fruits like Almonds, Walnuts, Pistachios, and Cashews
- Wheat
Food allergies can affect people of any age, from toddlers to adults. Research shows that if parents are allergic to certain foods or drinks, their children are more likely to develop similar allergies. Interestingly, many children seem to outgrow these sensitivities as they get older. It’s important to note that food intolerance — when the digestive system struggles to process certain items — is usually less severe than a true allergic reaction. Still, both can cause discomfort. Common symptoms of food allergies include the following:
- Bloating stomach
- Flatulence
- Acne on the skin
- Fatigue
- Dysentry
- Headache
- Agitation
Some foods are commonly difficult for the digestive system to handle, including:
- Milk
- Wheat
- Gluten (a protein found in wheat flour)
- Yeast
Treatment
If you suspect that you have a food or drink allergy, or if your stomach has difficulty handling certain foods, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional. Self-diagnosing and avoiding specific foods without medical advice can be detrimental to your health, as it might deprive your body of vital vitamins and nutrients.
For individuals with severe allergies to certain foods or beverages, the only effective treatment is complete avoidance of those triggers. On the other hand, those with less severe allergies or individuals whose stomachs can tolerate small amounts may be able to consume small portions of the offending food. However, in some cases, even those who can digest small quantities may need to avoid that food altogether.