All kinds of negative conditions created by nutrients in the body are generally described as food allergies. However, the reactions created by nutrients in the body are divided into two as food intolerance and food allergy. These concepts that are often confused with each other are actually two quite different situations.
Food allergy is defined as the response of the immune system to a substance contained in consumed food. The body activates the defense system against the protein in general in a substance contained in the food and forms a type of antibody called IgE. When the food containing the allergen substance is consumed again, the antibody produced earlier causes the chemical called histamine to be released. Histamine makes the person show hypersensitivity to a certain food protein. Wheat, soy products, eggs, milk, strawberries, almonds and walnuts are the most common allergenic foods.
If a person has a food allergy, they cannot feel anything when they first eat that food. Whether there is an allergy or not is understood as a result of the second consumption of food. Symptoms of a food allergy can be mild or quite severe.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF FOOD ALLERGY :
Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting,
Itching, rash, hives on the skin,
Swelling of the tongue, throat or eyes,
Chest pain, shortness of breath, a sudden feeling of sickness,
Low blood pressure, dizziness,
Fainting and anaphylactic shock.
In the diagnosis of food allergy, the levels of IgE antibodies produced by the body in response to the allergic substance are measured. So, how is the allergy test that plays an important role in establishing the diagnosis? Respiratory tests that provide food-specific responses, allergy tests from blood and skin are performed. After the food is consumed, the blood of the person is taken and the IgE levels are checked. Likewise, kits containing suspicious foods are applied to the skin; results such as burning, redness, itching, rash are monitored. It is important to examine the results of all tests by a qualified physician and to interpret the food allergy test correctly.
The only treatment of food allergy is food allergy test treatment, that is, removing the food that causes allergies from the diet. However, no matter how much attention is paid, in some cases it may be possible to encounter an allergen substance in meals eaten outside. For this reason, anti-histamic drugs can be used to prevent minor allergic reactions. These medications help reduce complaints such as itching and urticaria. For more serious allergic reactions, epinephrine injection can be made and the emergency room can be visited.
