What is the difference between food
allergy and food intolerance?
Food allergies involve the immune system and cause a reaction soon after
eating even a small amount of the allergy-causing food. Reactions include
swelling, hives, abdominal and even respiratory problems soon after eating a
certain food. A reaction, called anaphylaxis, may be life-threatening.
Food intolerance, on the other hand, does not involve the immune system
and is typically milder. Food intolerance is far more common than food
allergies and is often limited to digestive problems, such as bloating and
diarrhea.
How likely is it to outgrow food
allergies?
The most common food allergens are milk, soy, peanut, wheat, egg,
shellfish, fish and tree nuts. There are factors that can affect the
likelihood of outgrowing allergies such as the severity of reactions. Approximately
20% will outgrow a nut or shellfish allergy. Up to 80% will outgrow a dairy allergy.
Can I develop food allergies as
an adult?
Some adults develop an allergy to a food they used to eat with no
problem. Children may also outgrow a food allergy only to have it reappear in
adulthood. Shellfish and fish are allergies that often develop later in
life, unlike many other allergies.
Can food allergies trigger
asthma or eczema?
Allergic conditions are interrelated. For example, atopic dermatitis or
eczema, a skin condition characterized by itchy, scaly, red skin, can be
triggered by food allergy.
Symptoms of asthma, a chronic disease characterized by narrow airways
and difficulty breathing, may also be triggered by food allergy, especially in
infants and children. If one allergic condition is flared, this may trigger
another existing allergic condition.
When should you see an
allergist?
An allergist/immunologist is a physician, specifically trained to manage
and treat allergies and asthma. The
help of a trained allergist can reduce missed days from work or school. They
can also help one be better able to manage their symptoms daily so that they make
fewer visits to emergency rooms or urgent care centers. We will work to make an
accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Particularly for food allergies,
patients and families should be equipped with education and training on a
potentially life-threatening condition.
It is
imperative to have support in the community. Talking and meeting with other
families about experiences will raise awareness about food hypersensitivities
so that we can keep both children and adults safe and healthy. Food Allergy
Resources and Mentoring (FARM) is a wonderful group founded by Lisa Ficke that
allows for structured events that aim to be allergen-free.
