Food allergy is an abnormal reaction of the body to food, which is caused by the body’s immune system. It is a very common phenomenon. Here is some information about food allergies.

Causes of food allergies

Food allergies occur because the body is overly sensitive to the quality of food and produces antibodies to neutralize and resist foreign substances. In the process, histamine and other substances are released, leading to allergic reactions. However, this process of identifying substances that the body does not need varies from person to person. Different people are allergic to different foods, which is also a common cause of food-related diseases.

Many people mistakenly believe that only rare foods can cause allergies, but in fact, common foods can also be allergens. Food allergies are most commonly linked to proteins in milk, eggs, peanuts, sesame, soybeans, wheat, nuts, seafood, etc. In addition, pigments, preservatives, and additives in finished products may also cause allergies. Food allergies can be mild and short-lived, but they can also cause serious medical symptoms and even be threatening.

Adverse body reactions caused by food, including defects in the coordination of the antibody immunoglobulin E (the immunoglobulin IgE). Immunoglobulin E will appear during eating or soon after eating food allergens. If immunoglobulin E does not play a mediating role, an allergic reaction will occur within one hour of exposure to food allergens.

Food allergy symptoms

Symptoms of food allergy may include more than one of the following symptoms:

1. Skin rash, accompanied by itching.
   
2. Itchy nose and eyes.
   
3. Sneezing and runny nose.
   
4. Itching and swelling around the lips and mouth, especially in areas that come into direct contact with food.
   nausea.
   
5. Pain caused by spasms.
   
6. Vomiting and diarrhea.

Anaphylactic Shock

Anaphylactic shock is the most severe form of food allergy and can be fatal. Risk factors for anaphylactic shock include patients with asthma, especially those whose asthma is not well controlled. Failure to notice the early symptoms of anaphylactic shock can be very dangerous, as treating an emergency food allergy too late or without medication can lead to serious consequences.

If you experience these symptoms, stop eating any food you suspect may be causing your allergy, and more importantly, you should consider using an antihistamine. Regardless of whether you have a severe reaction, you should seek medical help to determine the cause and treatment.

Some factors that increase the risk of food allergy:

1. Congenital inheritance
   
2. Age: Food allergies are more common in children
   
3. Asthma

To prevent and reduce the risk of food allergy, it is necessary to have knowledge of food allergies and food allergy symptoms, and to avoid eating allergenic foods, as well as to avoid skin contact or inhalation of these foods. It is recommended to memorize the clinical symptoms of common food allergies on the skin, digestive system, and respiratory system. When food allergies occur in a serious manner, please go to a medical institution immediately to receive diagnosis and timely treatment.