Food allergy is an immune system response of which its signs and symptoms manifest right away after eating food that triggers allergies.
Food allergies are now more common than ever before in history. Today, practically everyone has one or more food allergies. If not you, it's extremely probable that someone in your family or social group has it. Food allergy symptoms are most typically observed in newborns and young children, while they can develop at any age.
Some people may experience discomfort from an allergic reaction to a particular food, while others may suffer severe symptoms from a food allergy, including the possibly fatal anaphylactic reaction. Most food-related symptoms appear minutes after eating and disappear in two hours or less.
Despite the fact that potential preventions and treatments are being developed, food allergies are currently incurable. In fact, the Department of Health (DOH) passed Administrative Order No. 2014- 0030 entitled Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the Labelling of Prepackaged Food Products Further Amending Certain Provisions of Administrative Order No. 88-B series of 1984 in order to protect consumers from risks to their health and safety and to facilitate informed choices in the proper exercise of their rights. Manufacturers are required by this administrative order to list the food allergens that are present in their products.
When the immune system, the body's first line of defense against infection, sees food proteins as a threat, food allergies develop. Consequently, here are some of the typical food allergens and their symptoms:
1. Eggs
When the immune system of the body reacts to proteins in egg whites or yolks, egg allergy results. Egg allergies often manifest themselves a short while to a few hours after eating eggs or meals that contain eggs. The mild to severe symptoms include skin rashes, hives, nasal congestion, vomiting, and other digestive issues.
2. Soy
Soy belongs to the family of legumes. Infants and young children are more likely to develop a soy allergy than older children. Some people have permanent soy intolerances, even though the majority of kids eventually get over their soy allergies. Vomiting, stomach cramps, indigestion, diarrhea, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, persistent cough, throat tightness, hoarse voice, hives, and dizziness are a few symptoms of a soy allergy.
3. Milk
A milk allergy is an immune system response to milk and products containing milk. It is one of the most common food allergies among children. Although reactions can happen when exposed to the milk of sheep, goats, buffalo, and other mammals, cow's milk is primarily the cause of milk allergies. You or your child may have milk allergy symptoms minutes to hours after consuming milk or dairy products, depending on the individual. Hives, wheezing, itching, or tingling around the lips or mouth, vomiting, coughing, or having a sore throat, as well as swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat are other symptoms.
4. Tree nuts
One of the food allergens most frequently linked to anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction with a sudden start that can be fatal, are tree nuts. It restricts breathing and could result in a body shock. In order to prevent consuming nuts and nut products, it is essential to carefully read food labels. Abdominal pain, cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, trouble swallowing, itching of the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, or other areas, nasal congestion or a runny nose, and shortness of breath are examples of allergy symptoms.
5. Fish
Unlike other food allergies, which are frequently initially identified in newborns and young children, a fish allergy may not become apparent until maturity. Finned fish allergies are among the most prevalent fish allergies. Shellfish are not closely related to fish with fins. While it's crucial to keep fish and shellfish separate from one another, this doesn't necessarily have to be the case if you have an allergy to one. Symptoms of a fish allergy can include hives or a skin rash, nausea, stomach pain, indigestion, vomiting, or diarrhea, runny or stuffy nose, itching, headaches, and asthma.
6. Shellfish
Shellfish allergy is an abnormal immunological response to proteins present in some marine organisms. Crustaceans and mollusks such as shrimp, crab, lobster, squid, oysters, and scallops are included in the shellfish. Some people who are allergic to shellfish respond to all varieties, while others only to a few. Reactions can cause modest symptoms like hives or a stuffy nose, or they might cause severe and even life-threatening symptoms.
7. Peanuts
The allergy to peanuts is one of the most typical triggers of severe allergic reactions. Even small amounts of peanuts can cause anaphylaxis. Most often, peanut allergies appear minutes after exposure. Skin reactions like hives, redness or swelling, itching or tingling in or around the mouth and throat, digestive issues including diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting, tightening of the throat, shortness of breath or wheezing, and runny nose can all be signs and symptoms of peanut allergy.
8. Wheat
A wheat allergy is a reaction to eating foods containing wheat or, in rare instances, inhaling wheat flour. When you eat food that contains wheat, you generally start to experience symptoms within minutes to hours if you have a wheat allergy. Hives or skin rashes, nausea, stomach pains, indigestion, vomiting, or diarrhea, stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, headaches, and asthma are just a few of the symptoms of a wheat allergy. Foods like bread and pasta, which frequently include wheat, should always be checked for wheat content on the label.
Food allergies might vary in terms of their symptoms and severity from person to person. Therefore, early detection and management of food allergies, including learning which foods to avoid, are the best ways to prevent serious health repercussions from them. Always carefully read the ingredient list on food labels to determine whether there are any components you should avoid and whether they go by other names. And always seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or continue. (Lizelle L. Bete, Development Management Officer II-Provincial Nutrition Focal Point/This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it./09631090198)
References:
Administrative Order No. 2014–0030 on Revised Rules and Regulations Governing the Labelling of Prepackaged Food Products. | InforMEA. (1984, May 25). Department of Health. https://www.informea.org/en/legislation/administrative-order-no-2014-0030-revised-rules-and-regulations-governing-labelling
Food allergy - Symptoms and causes. (2021, December 31). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20355095
N. (2022, April 13). Food Allergies | Causes, Symptoms & Treatment. ACAAI Public Website. https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/food/
NHS website. (2021, November 18). Food allergy. Nhs.Uk. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/food-allergy/
