Have eating peanuts or other food made you sick even to the point of going to the hospital? This could be caused by food allergies. An allergic reaction to food occurs when the body responds immunologically to proteins in the food. The reaction can be minor or it can be very serious as in the case of anaphylaxis which can result in death.

Everyone can respond differently to food allergies. Even one's bodily systems can respond differently. A person can experience cramps, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. Since these symptoms are similar to other problems it is very important to be diagnosed correctly so that you receive the proper treatment.

In the respiratory system, food allergies may manifest as runny nose, scratchy throat, coughing, sneezing, or wheezing. In more severe reactions you may experience shortness of breath or difficulty swallowing. If you ever have a more severe reaction it is recommended you seek medical attention immediately.

You can have an allergic response on your skin. This may appear as hives, eczema, itching in the membranes of the eyes, skin, mouth or throat. You may experience more severe reactions of swelling of the face, lips tongue or throat. These reactions must be treated immediately as this can lead to airway restriction.

Food allergies can affect your nervous system resulting in mood swings and depression.

Some folks are predisposed to Immunoglobulin E (IgE) response. This is where antibodies are produced in the body that attack non-disease causing substances which for food allergies it is the protein in certain foods. As the food passes into the digestive tract the body releases IgE which causes other chemicals such as histamine to be released as well. This can cause swelling which will appear as an upset stomach.

An allergist usually does the diagnosis. He will review your history of reactions and could employ a battery of standard tests such as the skin prick and blood tests.

The skin prick test introduces a small amount of the allergy causing substance into the skin. The allergist then looks for a reaction. For the blood test the level of IgE antibodies is measured. Certain levels are generally considered normal and higher levels may indicate that a person is having an allergic reaction.

So what does one do? Avoidance is always the first course of action. Read the food labels and in restaurants be sure to ask for more information when in doubt. For the severe reactions Epipen can be prescribed. Epinephrine is administered which can halt a severe reaction.