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Have eating peanuts or other food made you sick even to the point of going to the hospital? This could be caused by food allergies. An allergic reaction to food occurs when the body responds immunologically to proteins in the food. The reaction can be minor or it can be very serious as in the case of anaphylaxis which can result in death.

The response to a food allergy can take many different forms and affect different body systems. For instance, in the digestive system a person can experience cramps, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting or abdominal pain. These can be similar to symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome or Lactose Intolerance, so it is very important to get properly diagnosed in order to receive the correct treatment.

In the respiratory system, food allergies may manifest as runny nose, scratchy throat, coughing, sneezing, or wheezing. In more severe reactions you may experience shortness of breath or difficulty swallowing. If you ever have a more severe reaction it is recommended you seek medical attention immediately.

You can have an allergic response on your skin. This may appear as hives, eczema, itching in the membranes of the eyes, skin, mouth or throat. You may experience more severe reactions of swelling of the face, lips tongue or throat. These reactions must be treated immediately as this can lead to airway restriction.

The symptoms may affect your nervous system and sometimes the connection between mood swings and depression is not always easily recognizable.

Most food allergies are classified as a Immunoglobulin E (IgE) response. This means that antibodies are produced in the body that attack non-disease causing substances which in the case of food allergies is the proteins found in certain foods. Many folks are predisposed to this type of immune response. When the food passes into the digestive tract the body releases IgE which also causes other chemicals such as histamines to be released. This causes swelling and in the case of the digestive tract this will appear as an upset stomach.

An allergist usually does the diagnosis. He will review your history of reactions and could employ a battery of standard tests such as the skin prick and blood tests.

For the blood test the level of IgE antibodies is measured. Certain levels are generally considered normal and higher levels may indicate that a person is having an allergic reaction.The skin prick test introduces a small amount of the allergy causing substance into the skin. The allergist then looks for a reaction. Please be aware, that the skin prick cannot determine how one will react to the food being digested.

So what can be done? There is no cure for food allergies. Avoidance is what is recommended. There are many labels on foods and in restaurants that state that there are certain kinds of potential food allergens either in the food or around the food. If a person has severe reactions they may be prescribed an Epipen which administers epinephrine which can halt the allergic reaction.

Tags: Allergies and Asthma