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7 Reasons As To Why You Have A Food Allergy

A food allergy is caused when the body’s immune system mistakes an ingredient in food-usually a protein-as harmful and creates a defence system (special compounds called antibodies) to fight it. An allergic reaction occurs when the antibodies are battling an “invading” food protein. Here are a few facts you need to know about food allergies. Food allergy is an inherited predisposition. In other words, if your family has a history of allergies, you are more likely to have an allergy than say,   a child with allergy-free parents. If you never touch or eat a peanut, you’ll never develop a peanut allergy. Even that first peanut butter biscuit may be harmless, but as you digest it, it triggers your immune system to produce IgE (Immunoglobulin E) antibodies that will be activated the next time you eat that food. It’s not the food that triggers the reaction but rather the proteins within the food that are not broken down through cooking or by stomach acid or the digestive enzymes. These proteins are absorbed through the gastrointestinal lining into your bloodstream which then moves through your body. A food reaction can vary from mild tingling in the mouth to full-blown anaphylaxis with collapse. The reaction can start almost instantly as the food touches your mouth, or may develop more slowly over the next hour or so. For instance, if you have a history of allergic reactions to prawn, you’re likely to be allergic to crab, lobster and crayfish as well. Doctors call this cross-reactivity. Furthermore, people who have a birch-pollen allergy may also react to hazelnuts, apples, carrots and celery. And if you’re allergic to latex, you should watch out for bananas. In this form of allergy, if you eat certain food and then exercise soon afterwards a reaction is triggered. You’ll find that as you work out and your body temperature rises, you begin to itch, become light-headed and soon have allergy symptoms such as hives or even anaphylaxis. The cure is simple: don’t eat for a couple of hours before exercising. There is currently no cure for food allergies or intolerances. The only way to prevent a reaction is to avoid the food you are sensitive to. Research is underway to see if desensitization strategies (as are used for hay fever) can also be applied to food allergies, but this is still at an early stage and should not be attempted without close medical supervision. Many children will grow out of their allergies and intolerances as their bodies and immune systems mature.Also Read: What Causes Dry Nose at Night: Investigating Potential Causes and SolutionsDisclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
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