Dr. Beerelli answers questions about food allergies!

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.