Food allergy : Causes-Symptoms-Diagnosis-Treatment

 What is food allergy?

A food allergy is AN abnormal response of the body's system to sure foods. This is often not constant as food intolerance, though a number of the symptoms are also terribly similar.

While allergies tend to run in families, it's not possible to predict whether or not a baby can inherit a parent’s allergy or whether or not siblings can have the same condition. Some analysis will recommend that the younger siblings of a baby with a peanut allergic reaction also will be allergic to peanuts.

Symptoms of an allergy will vary from gentle to severe. Simply because AN initial reaction causes few issues doesn’t mean that each one's reactions are going to be similar; a food that triggered solely gentle symptoms on one occasion might cause additional severe symptoms yet again.

The most severe allergy is hypersensitivity reaction — a dangerous whole-body allergy which will impair your respiratory system, cause a dramatic visit to your pressure and have an effect on your pulse rate. hypersensitivity reaction will return on inside minutes of exposure to the trigger food. It will be fatal ANd should be treated promptly with an injection of hormone (adrenaline).

An allergy is once the body's system reacts outstandingly to specific foods. Though sensitivity is typically gentle, they'll be terribly serious.

food allergy

Symptoms of an allergy will have an effect on completely different areas of the body at constant time. Some common symptoms include:

• an itchy sensation inside the mouth, throat or ears

• a raised itchy red rash (urticaria, or "hives")

• swelling of the face, around the eyes, lips, tongue and roof of the mouth (angioedema)

• vomiting

Medical terms

• Food allergy is an adverse reaction of the body's immune system to certain foods. These reactions can range from mild to severe and can cause a variety of symptoms, including itching, hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, and anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening reaction that requires immediate medical attention. Food allergies can be triggered by a single food or multiple foods, depending on the individual.

• Food allergy is a serious medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is an immune system response to certain foods or ingredients, which can lead to mild to severe reactions. In some cases, food allergies can be life-threatening; the most severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis, which can cause difficulty breathing and a drop in blood pressure. People with food allergies should always carry an epinephrine auto-injector, and it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction.

• Food allergy is AN system reaction that happens presently when feeding an explicit food. Even a little quantity of the allergy-causing food will trigger signs and symptoms like biological process issues, hives or swollen airways. In some individuals, an allergy will cause severe symptoms or maybe a critical reaction referred to as hypersensitivity reaction.

• Food allergy affects AN calculable V-day of kids below age five and up to four-dimensional of adults. whereas there is no cure, some kids outgrow their food allergies as they develop.

• It's easy to confuse an allergy with a far additional common reaction referred to as food intolerance. whereas teasing, food intolerance could be a less serious condition that doesn't involve the system.

• Doctors know that some people who have a food allergy will experience anaphylaxis – a severe potentially life threatening reaction – to the food they are allergic to However some people may not experience every possible symptom of having an allergic reaction and may pass off their symptoms as something else A person with a food allergy should always remain aware of how he or she reacts to eating certain foods to ensure his or her health is protected in case of exposure.

• allergies can be triggered by a wide variety of foods including fruits and vegetables nuts grains and even milk The timing of the allergy symptoms (anaphylaxis) is often rapid; for some people severe reactions may occur within minutes after ingestion of an allergenic food.

Symptoms Food allergy

Allergic symptoms might begin at intervals minutes to Associate in Nursing hour when uptake the food. the subsequent area unit the foremost common symptoms of an allergy. however symptoms might occur a touch otherwise for every person.

For some folks, Associate in Nursing sensitivity to a selected food could also be uncomfortable however not severe. For others, Associate in Nursing allergic food reaction will be scary and even dangerous. allergy symptoms typically develop at intervals a number of minutes to two hours when uptake the offending food. Rarely, symptoms could also be delayed for many hours.

The most common food allergy signs and symptoms include:

• Tingling or itching in the mouth

• Hives, itching or eczema

• Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat or other parts of the body

• Wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing

• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting

• Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting

Anaphylaxis

In some people, a food allergy can trigger a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This can cause life-threatening signs and symptoms, including:

• Constriction and tightening of the airways

• A swollen throat or the sensation of a lump in your throat that makes it difficult to breathe

• Shock with a severe drop in blood pressure

• Rapid pulse

• Dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness

Emergency treatment is critical for anaphylaxis. Untreated, anaphylaxis can cause a coma or even death.

When to see a doctor

See your health care supplier or medico if you've got allergic reaction symptoms shortly after intake. If potential, see your supplier once the hypersensitive reaction is happening. This may facilitate your supplier building a designation.

Seek emergency treatment if you develop any signs or symptoms of hypersensitivity reaction, such as:

• Constriction of airways that makes it difficult to breathe

• Shock with a severe drop in blood pressure

• Rapid pulse

• Dizziness or lightheadedness

Causes Food allergy

• Food allergies happen once the system – the body's defense against infection – erroneously treats proteins found in food as a threat.
• As a result, a variety of chemicals are free. It's these chemicals that cause the symptoms of associate hypersensitivity.
• Almost associated food will cause an hypersensitivity, however there are bound foods that are answerable for most food allergies.
• Most children that have an allergic reaction can have seasoned skin condition throughout infancy. The more serious the child's skin condition and also the earlier it starts, the more likely they're to have an allergic reaction.
• It's still unknown why individuals develop allergies to food, though they typically produce other allergic conditions, like respiratory disease, allergic rhinitis and skin condition.
• Read a lot of data regarding the causes and risk factors for food allergies.
• When you have an allergic reaction, your system erroneously identifies a selected food or a substance in food as one thing harmful. In response, your system triggers cells to unharness associate a protein called immunoglobulin E (IgE) to neutralize the allergy-causing food or food substance (the allergen).
• The next time you eat even the littlest quantity of that food, immunoglobulin antibodies sense it and signal your system to unharness a chemical referred to as amine, likewise as different chemicals, into your blood. These chemicals cause allergic reaction symptoms.

The majority of food allergies are triggered by certain proteins in:

• Crustacean shellfish, such as shrimp, lobster and crab

• Peanuts

• Tree nuts, such as walnuts and pecans

• Fish

• Chicken eggs

• Cow's milk

• Wheat

• Soy

Pollen-food allergy syndrome

Also referred to as oral allergic reaction syndrome, pollen-food allergic reaction syndrome affects many folks UN agency have allergic rhinitis. During this condition, bound contemporary fruits ANd vegetables or kooky and spices will trigger an aversion that causes the mouth to tingle or itch. In serious cases, the reaction ends up in swelling of the throat or maybe hypersensitivity reaction.

Proteins in bound fruits, vegetables, kooky and spices cause the reaction as a result of they are like allergy-causing proteins found in bound pollens. This can be AN example of cross reactivity.

Symptom square measure is usually triggered by uptake of these foods once they are contemporary and raw. However, once these foods square measure baked, symptoms could also be less severe.

The following table shows the precise fruits, vegetables, kooky and spices which will cause pollen-food allergic reaction syndrome in people that square measure allergic to completely different pollen.

Exercise-induced food allergy

Eating sure foods might cause some folks to feel fidgety and lightheaded before long once getting down to exercise. Serious cases might even involve hives or hypersensitivity reactions. Not intake for some hours before physical exertion and avoiding sure foods might facilitate forestall this drawback.

Food intolerance and other reactions

A food intolerance or a reaction to a different substance you Greek deity could cause similar signs and symptoms as an allergic reaction will — like nausea, vomiting, cramping and looseness of the bowels.

Depending on the kind of food intolerance you have, you'll be ready to eat little amounts of downside foods while not having a reaction. In contrast, if you have got a real allergic reaction, even a small quantity of the food could trigger an Associate in Nursing hypersensitive reaction.

One of the tough aspects of diagnosing food intolerance is that some individuals are unit sensitive to not the food itself however to a substance or ingredient utilized in the preparation of the food.

Common conditions which will cause symptoms mistaken for a allergic reaction include:

• Absence of an enzyme needed to fully digest a food. You may not have adequate amounts of some enzymes required to digest bound foods. shy quantities of the accelerator Lactaid, for instance, scale back your ability to digest milk sugar, the most sugar in milk merchandise. genetic abnormality will cause bloating, cramping, diarrhea and excess gas. 

• Food poisoning. Sometimes food poisoning can mimic an allergic reaction. Bacteria in spoiled tuna and other fish also can make a toxin that triggers harmful reactions.

• Sensitivity to food additives. Some folks have biological process reactions and alternative symptoms once ingestion bound to food additives. For instance, sulfites that want to preserve edible fruit, foodstuff and wine will trigger respiratory disease attacks in folks with sensitivity to food additives. 

• Histamine toxicity. Certain fish, such as tuna or mackerel, that are not refrigerated properly and that contain high amounts of bacteria may also contain high levels of histamine that trigger symptoms similar to those of food allergy. Rather than an allergic reaction, this is known as histamine toxicity or scombroid poisoning.

• Celiac disease. While disorder is typically said as a protein hypersensitivity reaction, it doesn't lead to hypersensitivity reaction. sort of an allergy disorder will involve Associate in Nursing system response, however it is a distinctive reaction that is a lot more advanced than a straightforward allergy.
  This chronic biological process condition is triggered by consumption of protein, a supermolecule found in bread, pasta, cookies, and lots of different foods containing wheat, barley or rye.
  If you've got a disorder and eat foods containing protein, an Associate in Nursing response happens that causes harm to the surface of your bowel, resulting in Associate in Nursing inability to soak up bound nutrients. 

Risk factors Food allergy

Food allergy risk factors include:

• Family history. You're at increased risk of food allergies if asthma, eczema, hives or allergies such as hay fever are common in your family.

• Other allergies. If you are already allergic to at least one food, you will be at exaggerated risk of turning into allergic to a different. Similarly, if you have got different styles of hypersensitive reactions, like pollinosis or disease of the skin, your risk of getting an allergy is bigger. 

• Age. Food allergies are a lot common in youngsters, particularly toddlers and infants. As youngsters age, their biological process systems mature and their bodies are less able to soak up food or food elements that trigger allergies.
  Fortunately, youngsters usually outgrow allergies to exploit soy, wheat and eggs. Severe allergies and allergies to buggy and shellfish are a lot of possible to be womb-to-tomb. 

• Asthma. Asthma and allergy ordinarily occur along. After they do, each allergy and asthma attack symptoms are an additional unit probably to be severe.
  Factors which will increase your risk of developing Associate in Nursing hypersensitivity reaction reaction include: 

• Having a history of asthma

• Being a teenager or younger

• Delaying use of epinephrine to treat your food allergy symptoms

• Not having hives or other skin symptoms

Complications Food allergy

Complications of food allergy can include:

• Anaphylaxis. This is a life-threatening allergic reaction.

• Atopic dermatitis (eczema). Food allergy may cause a skin reaction, such as eczema.

Prevention Food allergy

Early introduction of peanut merchandise has been related to a lower risk of peanut hypersensitivity reaction. In a very recent study, bad infants — like those with dermatitis or egg hypersensitivity reaction or each — were elect to either ingest or avoid peanut merchandise from four to six months elderly till five years elderly.

Researchers found that bad kids WHO frequently consumed peanut supermolecules, like paste or peanut-flavored snacks, were around eightieth less likely to develop a peanut hypersensitivity reaction.

Before introducing substance foods, speak together with your child's doctor regarding the most effective time to supply them.

Taking precautions

Once an allergy has already developed, the most effective way to stop Associate in Nursing aversion is to grasp and avoid foods that cause signs and symptoms. For a few individuals, this is often a mere inconvenience, however others notice it as a bigger hardship. Also, some foods — once used as ingredients in sure dishes — could also be well hidden. This is often very true in restaurants and in alternative social settings.

If you know you have a food allergy, follow these steps:

• Know what you're eating and drinking. Be sure to read food labels carefully.

• If you have already had a severe reaction, wear a medical alert bracelet or jewelry that lets others understand that you just have an allergy just in case you have got a reaction and you are unable to speak. 

• Talk with your doctor about prescribing emergency epinephrine. You may need to carry an epinephrine auto injector (Adrenaclick, EpiPen) if you're at risk of a severe allergic reaction.

• Be careful at restaurants. Be certain your server or cook is aware that you simply fully cannot eat the food you are allergic to, and you would like to be utterly sure that the meal you order does not contain it. Also, check that food is not ready on surfaces or in pans that contain any of the food you are allergic to.
  Don't be reluctant to form your own desires. eating house employees members square measure sometimes quite happy to assist once they clearly perceive your request. 

• Plan meals and snacks before leaving home. If necessary, take a cooler jam-choked with allergen-free foods after you travel or visit an occasion. If you or your kid cannot have the cake or afters at a celebration, bring an associate degree approved special treat therefore nobody feels overlooked by the celebration.
  If your kid features a allergy, take these precautions to make sure his or her safety: 

• Notify key people that your child has a food allergy. Talk to expectant care suppliers, faculty personnel, folks of your kid's friends and different adults. The World Health Organization often moves together with your child. Emphasize that AN aversion is often grave and needs immediate action. confirm that your kid conjointly is aware of how to raise facilitate promptly if he or she reacts to food. 

• Explain food allergy symptoms. Teach the adults who spend time with your child how to recognize signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction.

• Write an action plan. Your arrangement ought to describe a way to look after your kid once he or she has an associate degree allergy to food. give a replica of the decision to your kid's faculty nurse et al. The UN agency looks after and supervises your child. 

• Have your child wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace. This alert lists your child's allergy symptoms and explains how others can provide first aid in an emergency.

Does drinking water help food allergy?

Food allergy and food intolerance are on the rise in the United States with an estimated 6 to 8 percent of children and 4 to 6 percent of adults reporting at least one food allergy. Some people believe that drinking more water can help reduce the symptoms associated with food intolerance.

What is the number 1 food allergy?

According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) food allergies are the most common chronic medical disorder in children The most common food allergy is to shellfish with peanuts coming in a close second Other foods that cause allergic reactions include wheat dairy products eggs and soybeans Less than 20 percent of people with an allergy know they have one before they experience their first reaction.

What is the general treatment for allergies?

The main treatment for allergies is preventing your body from reacting to the allergen Your doctor might recommend a variety of treatments but two common ones are allergy shots and medication Allergy shots consist of receiving small doses of an allergen-containing fluid over a period of time in order to build up resistance Medications can help with itching or sneezing by blocking the way that histamines work in the body.

How do you stop allergies immediately?

Step 1 Stop taking outside allergens into your home and stop allowing them to surface inside Stop touching yourself As soon as you come in from being outdoors immediately wash your hands with soap and water rinse off and then use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or rub on some lemon juice to remove the oils of your skin Treat bedding and pillows with encasements made especially for allergies like Allerzip® covers which have anti-allergy properties that help reduce odor and keep dust mites at bay Wash sheets weekly in hot water in addition to using a high.

Diagnosis Food allergy

An allergic reaction can sometimes cause some type of reaction when the trigger food is devoured. Symptoms will vary from person to person, and you will not continuously experience equivalent symptoms throughout each reaction. hypersensitive reactions to food will have an effect on the skin, tract, alimentary tract and vascular system. It's not possible to predict however severe successive reactions may well be, and every one of the patients with food allergies ought to be fastidiously recommended regarding the danger of hypersensitivity reaction, a probably fatal reaction that's treated with endocrine (adrenaline).

While food allergies could develop at any age, most seem in time of life. If you believe an allergic reaction, see associate Dr., World Health Organization can take your family and medical records, decide what tests to perform (if any) and use this data to work out if an allergic reaction exists.

To make a diagnosis, allergists raise elaborate questions about your medical record and your symptoms.

There's no perfect test used to confirm or rule out a food allergy. Your doctor will consider a number of factors before making a diagnosis. These factors include:

• Your symptoms. Give your doctor a detailed history of your symptoms — which foods, and how much, seem to cause problems.

• Your family history of allergies. Also share information about members of your family who have allergies of any kind.

• A physical examination. A careful exam can often identify or exclude other medical problems.

• A skin test. A skin prick take a look at will verify your reaction to a selected food. During this take a look at, an attiny low quantity of the suspected food is placed on the skin of your forearm or back. A doctor or another health care supplier then pricks your skin with a needle to permit a little quantity of the substance at a lower place on your skin surface.
  If you are allergic to a selected substance being tested, you develop a raised bump or reaction. detain mind, a positive reaction to the current take a look at alone is not enough to verify an allergy. 

• A blood test. A biopsy will show your immune system's response to specific foods by activity of the allergy-related protein called IgE (IgE).
  For this take a look at, a blood sample taken in your doctor's workplace is distributed to a medical laboratory, wherever totally different foods will be tested. 

• Elimination diet. You may be asked to eliminate suspect foods per week or 2 so add the food things back to your diet one at a time. This method will facilitate linking symptoms to specific foods. However, elimination diets are not foolproof.
  An elimination diet cannot tell you whether or not your reaction to a food may be a true hypersensitivity reaction rather than a food sensitivity. Also, if you have had a severe reaction to a food within the past, the Associate in Nursing elimination diet might not be safe. 

• Oral food challenge. During this take a look at, worn out the doctor's workplace, you will be given little however increasing amounts of the food suspected of inflicting your symptoms. If you do not have a reaction throughout this take a look at, you will be ready to embody this food in your diet once more. 

Treatment Food allergy

The primary way to manage an allergic reaction is to avoid overwhelming the food that causes you issues. rigorously check ingredient labels of food products, and learn whether or not what you wish to avoid is thought of by alternative names.

The allergic reaction Labeling and shopper Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA) mandates that makers of packaged foods made within the us establish, in simple, clear language, the presence of any of the eight most typical food allergens – milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nut, fish and crustacean shellfish – in their product. The presence of the matter should be expressed even though it solely associates incidental ingredients, as in associate additive or flavorer.

Some merchandise conjointly is also labeled with preventive statements, like “may contain,” “might contain,” “made on shared instrumentality,” “made during a shared facility” or another indication of potential matter contamination. There are not any laws or laws requiring those consultive warnings and no standards that outline what they mean. If you have got questions on what foods square measure safe for you to eat, speak along with your doc.

Be suggested that the FALCPA labeling necessities don't apply to things regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (meat, poultry and sure egg products) and people regulated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (distilled spirits, wine and beer). The law conjointly doesn't apply to cosmetics, shampoos and alternative health and wonder aids, a number of which can contain tree nut extracts or wheat proteins.

Avoiding associate matters is less complicated aforesaid than done. whereas labeling has helped build this method a small amount easier, thyme foods square measure so common that avoiding them is intimidating. A specialiser or a specialist is also able to facilitate. These food consultants can provide tips for avoiding the foods that trigger your allergies and can make sure that even though you exclude certain foods from your diet, you continue to obtain all the nutrients you wish. Special cookbooks and support teams, either nose to nose or on-line, for patients with specific allergies may also give helpful data.

Many people with food allergies ponder whether their condition is permanent. there's no definitive answer. Allergies to take advantage of, eggs, wheat and soy might disappear over time, whereas allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish tend to be long.

The only way to avoid associated hypersensitive reactions is to avoid foods that cause signs and symptoms. However, despite your best efforts, you'll inherit contact with a food that causes a reaction.

For a minor allergic reaction, prescribed antihistamines or those out there while not a prescription could facilitate scale back symptoms. These medications will be taken once exposure to associate allergy-causing food to assist relieve cutaneous sensation or hives. However, antihistamines cannot treat severe hypersensitivity. 

For a severe allergic reaction, you may want AN emergency injection of hormone and a visit to the ER. Many folks with allergies carry AN hormone hypodermic syringe (Adrenaclick, EpiPen). This device may be a combined syringe and hid needle that injects one dose of medication once ironed against your thigh.

If your doctor has prescribed AN hormone autoinjector: 

• Be sure you know how to use the autoinjector. Also, certify the folks highest to you to recognize a way to administer the drug — if they are with you in an associate degree hypersensitivity reaction emergency, they might save your life. 

• Carry it with you at all times. It may be a good idea to keep an extra autoinjector in your car or at your desk at work.

• Always be sure to replace epinephrine before its expiration date or it may not work properly.

Experimental treatments

While there is current analysis to search out higher treatments to cut back allergic reaction|allergy|allergic reaction} symptoms and stop allergy attacks, there is not any tested treatment which will stop or utterly relieve symptoms.

One treatment presently being studied as a treatment for allergy is oral therapy. During this treatment, little doses of the food you {are} allergic to are enclosed or placed underneath your tongue (sublingual). The dose of the allergy-provoking food is step by step enhanced.

The U.S. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved the primary oral therapy drug, Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) matter Powder-dnfp (Palforzia), to treat youngsters ages four to seventeen years with a confirmed peanut hypersensitivity reaction. This medication is not suggested for folks with uncontrolled respiratory illness or bound conditions, together with white cell inflammation. 

1. Child medical and psychological care

1. Skin grafting transplant

Lifestyle and home remedies

One of the keys to preventing an allergic reaction is to completely avoid the food that causes your symptoms.

• Don't assume. Always scan food labels to make certain they do not contain associated ingredients you are allergic to. though you think that you recognize what is during a food, check the label. Ingredients typically modify.
  Food labels are needed to obviously list whether or not the food product contains any common food allergens. scan food labels rigorously to avoid the foremost common sources of food allergens: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. 

• When in doubt, say no thanks. At restaurants and social gatherings, you are continuously taking a risk that you just may eat a food you are allergic to. individuals|many of us|Many folks} do not perceive the seriousness of an associate degree allergic food reaction and should not notice that a small quantity of a food will cause a severe reaction in some people.
  If you've got any suspicion in the least that a food might contain one thing you are allergic to, steer clear. 

• Involve caregivers. If your kid has an allergic reaction, enlist the assistance of relatives, babysitters, academics and alternative caregivers. check that they perceive however necessary it's for your kid to avoid the allergy-causing food which they understand what to try to do} in an emergency.
  It's also necessary to let caregivers understand what steps they will fancy forestall a reaction within the initial place, like careful hand-washing and cleansing any surfaces which may be available in contact with the allergy-causing food. 

Coping and support

An allergic reaction may be a supply of current concern that affects life reception, college and work. Daily activities that square measure straightforward for many families, like grocery looking and meal preparation, will become occasions of stress for families and caregivers living with food allergies.

Keep these ways in mind to assist manage your or your child's food allergy-related stress:

• Connect with others. The opportunity to debate food allergies and exchange info with others World Health Organization share your issues is terribly useful.
  Many websites and non-profit-making organizations supply info and forums for discussing food allergies. Some square measures specifically for folks with food allergies. The allergy analysis & Education web site will direct you to support teams and events in your space. 

• Educate those around you. Make sure family and caregivers, including babysitters and school staff, have a thorough understanding of your child's food allergy.

• Address bullying. Children are sometimes bullied at school because of their food allergies. Discussing your child's allergy with school personnel greatly reduces your child's risk of being a bullying target.

Preparing for your appointment

Because doctor's appointments will be temporary, and since there is typically a great deal of ground to hide, it is a sensible plan to be ready for your appointment. Here's some data to assist you make preparations for your appointment and what to expect from your doctor.

• Write down any symptoms you've had, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.

• Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.

• Make a list of all medications, vitamins and supplements that you're taking.

• Take a family member or friend along, if doable. generally it may be troublesome to recollect all the knowledge provided to you throughout a meeting. somebody UN agency accompanies you'll recall one thing that you just incomprehensible or forgot. 

• Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Your time along with your doctor is proscribed, thus getting ready a listing of queries can assist you create the foremost of some time along. List your queries from vital|most vital|most significant} to least important just in case time runs out. Some basic inquiries to raise your doctor include:

• Is my condition likely caused by a food allergy or another reaction?

• What kinds of tests do I need?

• Is my condition likely temporary or long lasting?

• What types of treatment are available, and which do you recommend?

• What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?

• I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions together?

• Are there any dietary restrictions that I need to follow?

• Should I see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover seeing a specialist?

• Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?

• Do you have any printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend visiting?

If your child is seeing the doctor for a food allergy, you may also want to ask:

• Is my child likely to outgrow his or her allergy?

• Are there alternatives to the food or foods that trigger my child's allergy symptoms?

• How can I help keep my child with a food allergy safe at school?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may save time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:

• When did you begin experiencing symptoms?

• How severe were your symptoms?

• How long did it take symptoms to appear after eating the food you suspect you're allergic to?

• Did you take any over-the-counter allergy medications such as antihistamines, and if so, did they help?

• Does your reaction always seem to be triggered by a certain food?

• How much food did you eat before the reaction?

• Was the food that caused the reaction cooked or raw?

• Do you know how the food was prepared?

• What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?

• What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?

What you can do in the meantime

If you think you have got an allergic reaction, avoid exposure to the food altogether till your doctor's appointment. If you are eating the food and have a light reaction, over-the-counter antihistamines could relieve symptoms. If you have got a lot of severe reactions and any signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reaction, ask for emergency relief.

General summary

1. Food allergies are the most common cause of anaphylaxis It is important to recognize food allergies and determine the specific trigger in order to best manage your diet to avoid future problems There are a number of treatments that can greatly reduce or eliminate allergic reactions if you know what you are allergic to and how likely you are to react when exposed again The first step towards identifying your reaction trigger is a simple blood test which allows your doctor to identify types of IgE antibodies responsible for the allergic response An elimination diet can then be used as treatment for these food allergies where foods containing each allergen are removed from the diet temporarily.

2. Food allergy is an immunological reaction that is triggered by the ingestion of specific foods. This allergic reaction occurs when the immune system identifies the food as a foreign, harmful substance and produces antibodies to fight it. These antibodies release chemicals, such as histamine, which cause an allergic reaction. It is estimated that about 8% of children and 4% of adults in the US have a food allergy.

3. Food allergy is a medical condition in which the body's immune system has a reaction to certain food substances. It can range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Symptoms of food allergy can include itching or swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing, hives, lightheadedness, and even anaphylaxis. An anaphylactic reaction is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention.

4. Food allergies are a serious medical condition that affects millions of people around the world. People with food allergies are hypersensitive to certain foods, and even the smallest trace can cause an allergic reaction. The most common food allergens are peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, shellfish, eggs, milk and soya. These allergies can cause a variety of symptoms ranging from mild rashes to life-threatening anaphylaxis.