Posted on December 7, 2007 in Food Allergies
Allergies are an uncommon feature though it has been acquiring an upward trend in recent times. Another intriguing development made by scientists in this field reveal that the number of people suffering from allergies has a skyrocketing increase in developed and developing countries but not in underdeveloped countries.
Experts claim that food allergies can develop at any age. However, food allergies are said to be more common in children than in adults. People can suffer from severe allergic reactions to various foods and the slightest reaction to any protein allergen should not be ignored because food allergies can be life threatening.
Symptoms of food allergy in adults:
Symptoms of food allergy in adults can vary from person to person and occurs within minutes from after coming in contact with the food allergen. Usual symptoms however include the following:
- Hives
- Itching
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Light headedness
However when one realizes that the lip, tongue or throat is swelling up, then such reactions require the immediate attention of a doctor.
Common foods that an adult maybe allergic to:
Adults are prone to suffer allergic reactions from the following foods:
- Tree nuts like almonds, walnuts, etc.
- Peanuts
- Shellfish
- Finned fish like tuna, salmon, etc.
Children who are suffering from allergic reactions to these foods are likely to suffer from these foods when they become adults too. But in the case of allergic reactions suffered from other foods, children outgrow with them as they grow older.
Tips for dealing with allergic reactions caused from food allergens:
If you discover that you are allergic to certain foods then you need to follow these instructions:
- Conduct a thorough medical history with the help of your dermatologist.
- Maintain a diary of events and the foods you are allergic to and analyze them as pattern or frequency.
- Undergo skin prick tests or blood tests to confirm an allergic reaction to a particular food allergen.
- Try avoiding the food completely if tests confirm that you are allergic to a particular food allergen.
- Check for labeled foods when you are shopping and be careful about not picking up ones you are allergic to.
- To treat an immediate condition or symptom, the allergist can suggest an epinephrine injection to reduce the symptoms. These maybe used as rescue medications and in extreme and uncontrollable situations.
- Be careful about eating out with friends and family as you may order for something which may contain ingredients that cause an allergic reaction to you.
- Consult with your allergist about cross reactions. For example, if you are allergic to tree nuts then you may also be allergic to another type of nut or if you are allergic to lobster then you may be allergic to shellfish as well.
- Some people who are allergic to pollens get into sudden itching bouts around the mouth when they eat some fruits. This is called an oral allergy syndrome and one should consult about the safety of eating fruits from outside with his or her allergist.
No matter what it takes to treat the allergies you are suffering from never ignore it. Before they can lead to adverse conditions consult a doctor now.
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