淺談食物過敏症狀,診斷,治療和準備

Food allergies occur when your immune system reacts defensively to specific food proteins that are actually not harmful to the body.

The first time you eat a problematic food, your immune system responds by producing specific disease-fighting antibodies called immunoglobulin E, or IgE. When you eat the food again, the IgE antibodies immediately kick in, releasing large amounts of histamine to expel the "foreign invaders" from your body. Histamine is a powerful chemical that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, or cardiovascular system.

What are the symptoms of food allergies?

Symptoms of food allergy may appear almost immediately, or within two hours after you eat the food. Symptoms may include:

  • There is a stinging feeling in the mouth
  • Swelling of tongue and throat
  • Measles
  • Skin rash
  • Vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal cramps
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Reduce blood pressure
  • Loss of consciousness

A severe reaction is called anaphylaxis - and can be fatal

What foods most commonly cause allergic reactions?

Eight foods cause more than 90 percent of food allergies in children—milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, and tree nuts (such as walnuts, pecans, and almonds). In adults, 90% of food allergies are caused by peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish.

How are food allergies diagnosed?

Your doctor may order a radioactive allergen blood test (RAST) to check the number of antibodies your immune system produces. Elevated levels of certain types of antibodies can help your doctor identify specific food allergies. Your doctor may also perform an allergy skin test, also called a scratch test, to identify the substance causing your allergy symptoms.

By having you keep a food diary, your doctor will have a better starting point for identifying foods that may trigger your allergies. You may be asked to remove all possible allergy-causing foods and then add them to your diet one at a time to see if they cause any reactions. This is called an elimination and challenge diet.

How to treat food allergies?

The best way to deal with food allergies is to strictly avoid the foods that cause allergic reactions. Mild reactions usually go away without treatment. For rashes, antihistamines may help reduce itching and may also relieve congestion and other symptoms.

For more severe reactions, corticosteroids, such as prednisone, will help reduce swelling. In life-threatening situations, an injection of epinephrine can begin to reverse symptoms immediately and is the only effective treatment option. If your doctor prescribes an auto-injector for you, keep two with you at all times.

How can I prepare for food allergies?

Once you and your doctor determine which foods you should avoid, stay away from them. However, it is important to maintain a healthy, nutritious diet. Ask your doctor to recommend foods that provide necessary nutrients.

You should also know what’s in processed foods. Be sure to read labels. A registered dietitian can help you learn how to read food labels to discover hidden sources of food allergens. Some lotions, hair products, soaps and medications may also contain foods that may trigger allergies - such as nuts or milk.

When dining out, call ahead to find out if the staff is trained to handle food allergies. Make it clear to your server what you need and ask to speak to a manager or chef if you don't feel comfortable. Order simply prepared dishes and avoid salad bars or buffets.

If you are prone to allergic reactions, ask your doctor to prescribe an epinephrine injection kit and keep two with you. Let family and co-workers know what you are allergic to and how they can help if you have a reaction. If your child has allergies, make an emergency plan with their school and teachers.

This can be tricky if you live in a family or roommate situation where one person is allergic and the others continue to eat the offending food. Here are some tips:

  • Clearly label food packages and containers "safe" or "unsafe." Consider placing a separate shelf in your refrigerator or pantry.
  • Start by preparing food for the allergic person.
  • If possible, use separate utensils and cookware for preparing food with and without allergens. Otherwise wash it immediately.
  • Between fixing safe and problematic items, thoroughly clean counters and other surfaces where you prepare meals. For some things, like peanuts, you may need to use a spray cleaner or disinfecting wipes along with dishwashing liquid.
  • Some people with allergies may react to food proteins that are released into the air as steam or vapor during cooking. These are rare and usually mild. Make sure sensitive people stay out of the kitchen during cooking and for 30 minutes afterwards.
  • Wash your hands frequently while cooking and before and after eating.
  • Wipe down tables and kitchen counters after meals.

Review

All comments are moderated before being published

HealthyPIG Magazine

View all
Transform Your Home with the Philips Smart 1000i Air Purifier: Allergy Relief Meets Smart Living

Transform Your Home with the Philips Smart 1000i Air Purifier: Allergy Relief Meets Smart Living

In today’s fast-paced world, where indoor air quality often goes unnoticed, the Philips Air Purifier Smart 1000i Series offers a breath of fresh ai...
皮質醇管理:如何控制皮質醇?我們能夠自行管理或調節劑量嗎?

皮質醇管理:如何控制皮質醇?我們能夠自行管理或調節劑量嗎?

皮質醇是一種在壓力反應中發揮重要作用的激素,適量的皮質醇可以幫助我們應對壓力和維持健康。然而,過量或長期的高皮質醇水平可能會對身體帶來負面影響。以下我們將探討如何控制和管理皮質醇,包括自然方法、藥物干預、以及測量皮質醇的方式。 1. 自然方法調節皮質醇 壓力管理技術:研究顯示,冥想、深呼吸...
皮質醇是什麼?它如何影響我們的身體與日常生活?

皮質醇是什麼?它如何影響我們的身體與日常生活?

皮質醇(Cortisol)是一種由腎上腺分泌的激素,通常被稱為「壓力荷爾蒙」。它的主要功能是幫助身體應對壓力情境,並且在多種生理過程中扮演重要角色。皮質醇的釋放受腦部下丘腦-垂體-腎上腺軸(HPA軸)控制,這是一個調節人體反應於壓力的系統。 皮質醇對身體的影響 當我們處於壓力下時,皮質...
為什麼我們在緊張時總是忍不住吃零食?科學解密壓力性飲食行為

為什麼我們在緊張時總是忍不住吃零食?科學解密壓力性飲食行為

當人們感到緊張或壓力時,經常會無意識地吃零食,這種行為主要涉及大腦的多巴胺系統、情緒反應以及身體的生理需求。以下是背後的幾個主要原因: 壓力荷爾蒙的影響:壓力會觸發皮質醇的釋放,這種壓力激素會引發人們對高糖和高脂肪食物的渴望。這些食物能帶來短暫的愉悅感,因為它們能刺激大腦分泌多巴胺,讓人感...
光學治療濕疹 - 全面總結

光學治療濕疹 - 全面總結

簡介 光療使用光波來治療某些皮膚問題。皮膚會暴露於紫外線 (UV) 光下一段設定的時間。光療利用人造的紫外線光源,紫外線也來自陽光。當與一種叫做甲氧補骨脂素的藥物一起使用時,這個程序稱為 PUVA 光療。 紫外線光能夠抑制皮膚中的免疫系統細胞,對於因免疫系統過度反應引起的皮膚問題有幫助。可以使...
什麼是「操縱者」?

什麼是「操縱者」?

操縱者,也可以說成「擅用手段的人」,「心機重的人」。操縱者利用欺騙、影響或者其他形式的心理操控來控制或影響他人,以達到自己的目標。他們的行為通常包含使用隱蔽、間接或偷偷摸摸的手法來獲得他們想要的東西,往往是以犧牲他人為代價。以下是一些常見的特徵和手段: 欺騙: 他們可能會說謊或扭曲事實來誤...
什麼是肌肉抽搐?你需要去看醫生嗎?

什麼是肌肉抽搐?你需要去看醫生嗎?

肌肉抽搐,也稱為肌束顫動,是指身體各部分出現不自主的肌肉收縮。以下是肌肉抽搐的原因、症狀及管理方法的詳細介紹: 肌肉抽搐的原因 壓力和焦慮 高水平的壓力和焦慮會導致肌肉緊張和抽搐。身體對壓力的反應會觸發神經系統,導致肌肉不自主地收縮。 疲勞 過度使用或劇烈運動後的肌肉疲勞會導致肌...
蘋果與牙齒健康:保護牙齒的小技巧

Apples and Dental Health: Tips to Protect Your Teeth

Apples are widely loved for their rich nutritional content and refreshing taste. However, apples' acidic and sugary content may also have an impact...
蘋果籽的毒性:它們真的有毒嗎?

Apple Seed Toxicity: Are They Really Poisonous?

Apple seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, compounds that break down in the body to produce cyanide, which has raised concerns about the toxicity o...