Which foods cause more allergies? What complaints do food allergies cause? How is food allergy diagnosed? How is food allergy treated? What is the natural course of food allergies? Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Sakine IŞIK gave valuable information about the subject.
It is known that about one hundred and seventy foods cause allergies
Complaints in food allergy arise as a result of our immune system’s perceiving the protein in the food as a “danger” and giving an unusual reaction. Although food allergy is often seen in infancy and childhood, it can also occur in adulthood. The incidence of food allergy is increasing all over the world and is seen as a public health problem. According to the results of the studies, food allergy is seen with a frequency of 3% in adults and 6% in children. One hundred and seventy foods are known to cause allergies. At the beginning of the foods that cause food allergy in our country; Cow’s milk, eggs, nuts such as hazelnuts, walnuts, peanuts, soy, wheat, fish, shellfish and more rarely lentils, sesame and red meat.
Food allergies present in two forms. In “early type food allergy”, which is more common, complaints occur within the first two hours after consuming food and include generalized itching, redness, swelling of the tongue and lips, hoarseness, shortness of breath, cough, bruising, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure and fainting. causes complaints. The most important reaction seen in food allergies is the “allergic shock” picture, which can be fatal. The second picture seen in food allergies is “Late type food allergy”. The complaints we see frequently in late-type food allergy are bloody, mucous, slimy and green-colored stools, severe gas pains, redness around the anus, especially in babies who are breastfed under 6 months of age, as well as the insides of the arms, knees, cheeks, back of the ears, neck and anterior chest. It is itchy, dry, allergic eczema that occurs with rashes and reflux that does not respond to treatment.
The story of the patient’s complaints is valuable
The story of the patient’s complaints is the most valuable step in diagnosing food allergy. Allergy tests from the skin and blood after the story and “food competition tests” are the methods used in diagnosis. Since skin allergy tests and food competition tests can cause “allergic shock”, they are risky processes and should be done by allergy specialists. Avoiding foods to which the patient is allergic is the only way to prevent and treat allergic reactions. Allergy syrups should be used in mild reactions in patients with food allergies, and adrenaline injections should be used in severe reactions such as allergic shock.
Allergies to some foods tend to improve over time. Allergies to foods such as cow’s milk and eggs can pass depending on age, peanut, fish, shellfish and nut allergies can last for many years, even a lifetime.
