A simple food allergy can change the way a person live his or her life for it basically makes this person a little altered than his or her allergy-free contemporaries. Allergies with certain types of food are caused by a specific chemical that is a common chemical ingredient in that same food. So, it is not surprising that an allergy to food may also cause a reaction to medications which subsequently leads to an alteration in medications, too.
As a result, medical professionals have been finding ways to detect food allergies as early as possible before the reactions take place. There are numerous testing processes that they utilize in finding out whether a patient is allergic to certain types of chemicals. One of these tests includes blood testing.
But before going further about blood testing, you should first understand what goes on inside the body during the allergic process.
There are two ways that the immune system reacts to an allergy. One approach is that the body, after the detection of allergens, generates immunoglobulin E or IgE which is a kind of antibody. IgE is then disseminated in the blood stream. The other approach is the occurrence of mast cells. Mast cells appear in the body tissues particularly in common allergy sites like the throat, nasal cavity, oral cavity, skin, lungs, and the organs of the gastrointestinal system.
There are cases that the capacity to produce immunoglobulin E to fight off a certain food allergen is in inherited. Individuals who are at higher risk in being afflicted with food allergies are those who have blood relations who have suffered from asthma, eczema, and hay fever.
Furthermore, an individual must initially be in contact with the potential food allergen before his or her body produces the antibody IgE. As the individual is finally exposed to the allergen the IgE is then produced and consequently fastens itself to the mast cells. This team up will eventually cause body chemical reactions the next time the allergen is eaten by the hapless individual.
Now, this immunoglobulin E is important in the detection for allergies through blood testing. The most frequently utilized blood tests are Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and CAP-RAST (which is basically similar to RAST but more advanced).
In blood tests, the outcome is ranked from one to six, with one the least positive and six the most. Blood tests can be utilized in individuals afflicted with a severe case of eczema since this type of testing can not be influenced by antihistamines.
Following the drawing of blood samples, it is then sent away to the laboratories for further evaluation. Blood tests can be pretty much expensive and results are not immediately available for the patient to know whether they are allergic to certain food or not.
Eventually, an allergy is diagnosed when the medical professionals detected the presence of the immunoglobulin E or IgE in the patient's blood. But the results of the blood test can not identify if there is a close connection between the existence of IgE and the allergy's intensity. There are even cases wherein the results are negative although the patient manifests symptoms of food allergy.
In case, blood tests fail there are still other tests that the medical professionals may utilize to size up your allergy. These tests may include skin prick tests, elimination diets, and food challenges.
Furthermore, feel free to ask questions to the medical professionals concerning the results to better understand your condition.
Food allergies affect a small percentage of the population, including approximately two to three percent of all adults and six to eight percent of kids. Many who believe they are suffering from a food allergy may instead have intolerance to a particular type of food. A good example of this would be someone who has a lactose intolerance that makes it difficult to eat milk or dairy products without experiencing an upset stomach afterward.
Intolerance to a particular food group is not considered an allergy because the immune system is not involved in the process. A true allergy consists of the immune system malfunctioning by reacting to a particular allergen as though it were a harmful substance to the body ?in this case, a type of food would be the culprit.
What Foods Cause Food Allergies?
While nearly any food can cause an allergic reaction, the majority of food allergies are caused by a handful of culprits. These foods include wheat, soy, milk, eggs, nuts and fish. Most people will only have a reaction to one or two of these types of foods, although some will have allergies to a related food as well.
For example, a person who is allergic to peanuts might also have a reaction to soybeans or peas. People who suffer from eczema or asthma are also more likely to have allergies as well, and this could encompass food allergies as well as reactions to other substances.
What are the Symptoms and Treatment Options?
Symptoms of food allergies can include itching and hives, swelling of the lips and mouth, cramps, nausea and diarrhea. Some people will also have reactions like watery eyes or a runny nose. More severe symptoms will entail dizziness, difficulty breathing and a rapid heartbeat. If you or someone you know experience any of these allergy symptoms, it is important to seek medical care immediately.
Also, if you have a less severe reaction that does not go away fairly quickly you should seek medical care as well. If you suspect that you have a food allergy, your doctor can help you to pinpoint the cause of the reaction through blood tests or by referring you to an allergist. Many food allergies are diagnosed simply by the symptoms reported, and by the food that was eaten prior to the appearance of the symptoms.
Most food allergies can be avoided simply by staying away from the food that causes the reaction. If a reaction does occur, mild symptoms can generally be treated at home through the use of over-the-counter antihistamines. More severe symptoms will always require emergency medical care since acute allergic reactions can be life threatening.
Both Jack Sands & John Hilaire are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jack Sands has sinced written about articles on various topics from Heart Conditions, Health and Allergies. Learn about and. Jack Sands's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.
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