Food Allergies- Tips for Restaurant Dining and Other Situations

What Is Food Allergies?

Food allergies appear by an immune system response to a specific food. Mostly, the problem starts with a delayed reaction to certain foods. The most common food allergies include cow milk, eggs, soy, wheat, and peanuts. Food allergies can range from mild to life-threatening in severity. For example, if someone has a severe egg allergy and accidentally eats raw or undercooked eggs, they could develop hives or anaphylaxis that requires medical attention. There is no cure for food allergies, and people who have them should avoid the foods they are allergic to at all costs. Food allergies are diagnosed from symptoms that happen after eating a particular food.
Food allergies are a common health problem that affects 8-12% of children in the United States. This is no longer a rare condition but an epidemic. Peanut allergies are one type of food allergy. They affect one out of every 13 children in the United States. Peanut allergies have become so prevalent that schools have had to put peanut restrictions and bans in place. What causes this allergy? Well, peanuts and other related food items contain proteins called lectins, which can cause severe allergic reactions and lead to life-threatening anaphylactic shock when eaten. To avoid these types of reactions it is essential to speak with your doctor about what should be done if you or your child has an allergy or a potential allergy.

What are the symptoms of Food Allergies?

The symptoms of food allergy include swelling or itching of the face, mouth, throat, or skin; stomach pain, breathing problem, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. A severe allergic reaction can be life-threatening.
Allergy testing can confirm a food allergy. You should not diagnose food allergies yourself. You can only prevent food allergies by avoiding foods that include food allergens as ingredients.
On the other hand, food intolerance is not life-threatening and does not affect the immune system; however, food tolerance may share symptoms similar to food allergies.
Food intolerance does not trigger the immune system and is not life-threatening or the same as a food allergy, although it may share similar food allergy symptoms.
Some of the common food allergy symptoms include-

• tingling on lips and mouth
• runny nose
• wheezing
• swelling on face, mouth
• hives
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea
• watery eyes

What are Common Allergens of Food Allergies?

Today, many people have food allergies. It is crucial to know which foods are the most likely to cause an allergic reaction. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, symptoms of food skin allergy can appear after coming in contact with a small amount of the allergic food. Typically, food allergies are diagnosed at a young age; however, common food allergies can also occur in adults and young children.
Here are the eight allergens that are majorly responsible for the majority of allergic reactions-
1. Cow milk
2. Eggs
3. Fish
4. Soy
5. Peanuts
6. Shellfish
7. Wheat
8. Tree nuts

How is food allergy different from food intolerance?

Some symptoms of food allergy and food tolerance may be similar, but there are differences between the two.
Food allergies trigger a response in the immune system and can be life-threatening. People who are allergic to one type of food may also become allergic to a similar protein found in other foods.
For example, people allergic to ragweed may also be allergic to melons and bananas. This type of allergic reaction is called cross-reactivity occurs when the immunity system starts thinking that one protein is related to another.
People sometimes confuse food allergies with food tolerance. There are differences between the two. In people with food allergies, their immune systems react to food allergens by producing antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (IgE). When IgE antibodies bind with food allergens, it results in the symptoms of allergic reactions.
In food tolerances, IgE does not play a role, though other parts of the immune system are responsible for the symptoms. Symptoms of food intolerance and food allergies may be similar, but symptoms in food intolerance take longer to occur.
Food intolerance can occur due to proteins, carbohydrates, or chemicals present in foods. However, food allergies trigger only because of a protein present in foods. Sometimes, food tolerance can also appear due to compromised intestinal permeability or a lack of enzymes.
In people with an allergy to food, a tiny amount of a food allergen can trigger the immune system, resulting in an allergic reaction. While in food tolerance, a person can consume small quantities of a food allergen without triggering a reaction.
Individuals with celiac disease are an exception, as even a tiny amount of gluten can result in a reaction in people with this condition. The immune system is involved in Celiac disease. However, doctors do not consider Celiac disease an allergy but an autoimmune condition.
According to a recent study, restaurants are the second most common area where food allergy reactions occur. Restaurant owners can install food handling software like Zipfoodhandler to manage food allergens and follow food safety standards.

What are the causes of food allergies?

In people allergic to certain foods, the immune system considers a specific protein as a dangerous substance that can cause disease. The immune system produces IgE antibodies that attack the protein.
When the person consumes the same ingredient again, the antibodies are prepared to attack the protein immediately by releasing chemical substances like histamine into the bloodstream. When these chemicals are released into the bloodstream, the symptoms of food allergies appear. When chemical substances like histamine are released in the bloodstream, the blood vessels expand, and the skin becomes swollen or inflamed. Similarly, the nose may start producing more mucus, resulting in watery eyes, nose, or burning.
Food safety software like Zipfoodhandler Features tools to identify food allergy symptoms and how to tackle food allergic reactions that occur in a customer.

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Who is at risk of developing food allergies?

Every year food allergies are responsible for more hospital visits and deaths than any other allergic disease. What exactly is a food allergy? Is it like the flu, where your body reacts to something you ingest? Or does it happen when your body's immune system decides that certain foods are a threat and mount an attack? There is no one answer, but here are some ways to know if you are at risk for developing a food allergy-
Family history of food allergies- People with a family history of food allergies can be more prone to allergic reactions. If someone in a close family has asthma or other allergic diseases like eczema, asthma, or other seasonal allergies, it can trigger food allergies in a person.
Other food allergies- A person with one allergic condition like asthma, food allergies, and seasonal allergies may develop other food allergies.
Cesarean Delivery- Children born by cesarean delivery are more likely to have food allergies. You can reduce the risk of developing food allergies in these babies by introducing common allergens like cow milk or peanuts early in their life.
Bacteria in the Gut- According to Food Allergy Research & Education, around 85 million Americans are affected by food allergies and intolerances. Studies show that people with seasonal and nut allergies have low levels of Clostridiales and high levels of Bacteroidales strains in their gut. Ongoing research on gut bacteria is going on to find if influencing gut bacteria could reduce the occurrence of food allergies.

Why do certain people have allergic reactions?

There are many reasons why certain people have allergic reactions. While some may be attributed to the body's natural defense system, others are purely psychological. This can make it hard to identify what triggers a person's allergic reaction.
There are three major causes of allergies in humans and these include allergens, food, and an allergen-triggered response from the immune system. The third category is more complex because it is not always easy to understand how the immune system causes an allergic response without knowing about the different types of cells in the blood that carry out this task.
Here are some causes of food allergies and how to avoid them-
Changes in Eating Habits- Changes in diet like a higher intake of vegetable fats and a lower intake of animal fats may be one of the reasons for developing food allergies.
Lack of Antioxidants- Eating small portions of fresh vegetables and fruits could result in more food allergies. Fresh fruits and vegetables have high amounts of antioxidants that protect the human body against cell damage. According to studies, low levels of antioxidants can be related to food allergies.
Lack of Vitamin D- Typically, food allergies occur in countries farther from the equator, with less sunlight. Sunlight is an essential source of vitamin D. People with low Vitamin D may have a higher risk of food allergies.

What are different food allergies?

Food allergies can be life-threatening, so it is crucial to know the signs and symptoms of these food reactions. In addition to specific signs, there are a few broader characteristics you should be aware of when it comes to allergies. When you are trying to determine whether someone is experiencing food allergies, you should pay attention to their body language and any symptoms they may have.
Here, we will explore different types of food allergies as well as their symptoms that typically occur after ingestion.

Two Categories of Food Allergies
Typically, there are two broad categories of food allergies-


1. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) mediated- IgE food allergies occur when a food allergen reacts with the body's immune system, releasing antibodies known as Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. Food allergy symptoms appear when IgE antibodies react with specific foods.
2. Non-IgE mediated. Non-IgE mediated food allergies occur when other components of the immune system react with food allergens apart from IgE antibodies. Some people can have both non-IgE mediated and IgE mediated food allergies. Symptoms of IgE food allergies include food allergy rash, hives, itching, swelling of tongue, throat, or lips; wheezing, trouble breathing, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea,et al.

What is Oral Allergy Syndrome?

Oral allergy syndrome refers to an allergic reaction that occurs when the immune system cross-reacts with a specific protein in certain foods. Oral allergy syndrome affects the tongue, mouth, throat, or lips. It is related to allergic rhinitis, otherwise known as hay fever.
Oral allergy syndrome is related to hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis.

Symptoms of Oral Allergy Syndrome-
Oral allergy syndrome occurs after consuming certain foods. Symptoms of oral allergy syndrome include-

• itching of the mouth, throat, or tongue
• swelling of tongue and lips
• Severe symptoms include-
• nausea and vomiting
• swelling of the throat

• Japanese cedar
• birch
• plane
• alder
• Grasses
• Weeds
• Timothy
• ragweed
• orchard grass
• Parietaria species
• mugwort
• wormwood

• cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums,
• watermelons
• mangoes
• apples and pears
• figs
• bananas
• kiwis
• strawberries
• raspberries
• avocados
• oranges
• melons

• Chervil, parsley celery, parsnips, cumin, carrots, cilantro, fennel, and dill
• Potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers
• Cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins, butternut squashes
• lettuce
• artichokes
• corn
• peas

• hazelnuts and walnuts
• wheat
• peanuts
• soy
• chickpeas
• lentils
• almonds
• honey
• sunflower seeds

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