A food allergy is an immune system reaction to a food that the body wrongly believes is harmful. Normally, your immune system protects you from germs and disease. The symptoms of food intolerance can include belching, indigestion, flatulence, loose stools, headaches, flushing, or nervousness. A person with food intolerance can often eat small amounts of the particular food without showing any symptoms.

Many other health conditions are related with severe allergic reactions to foods. For instance, people with asthma are at greater risk of having severe reactions from food allergies. In general, most common food allergies are overgrown in childhood. A common skin symptom of a food allergy is hive reaction, or embossed red itchy bumps on the skin. Swelling of the face, throat, lips, and tongue may also occur, within minutes of touching the food.

Respiratory symptoms such as wheezing and breathing problems or gastrointestinal symptoms such as unexpected abdominal pain and vomiting also are common reactions. Food allergy can direct to anaphylactic shock: A systemic reaction comprising several different bodily systems including hypotension (low blood pressure) and loss of consciousness. Food allergy is a hypersensitivity response, meaning that before an allergic reaction to an allergen in food can occur, a person needs to have been reveal previously, that is, sensitized, to the food.

Allergens commonly connected with this type of reaction are peanuts, nuts, milk, egg, and seafood. Food allergy is thought to begin more easily in patients with the atopic syndrome, a very common combination of diseases: allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, eczema and asthma. Severe anaphylactic reactions, including death, can happen after the ingestion of food.

Asthma, eczema, or other disorders may be induced or worsened by food allergies. Results of food allergies aims on proteins presented in the blood along with vaccines, which are designed to provoke an immune response. Most common food allergens include peanuts, milk, eggs, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat - these foods are responsible for about 90% of all allergic reactions. The real prevalence of food allergies is estimated to be nearly 6% in infants and children and 3.7 % in adults. Investigations of near-deadly or deadly anaphylactic reactions following food ingestion disclose that most are caused by peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish.

Several remedies are available for treating the other symptoms of food allergy. Antihistamines can relieve gastrointestinal symptoms, hives, sneezing, and a runny nose. Bronchodilators can lightens the symptoms of asthma. Antihistamines may relieve the discomfort. Calming skin creams may provide some relief.

Food Allergies Treatment Tips

1. Wear a bracelet or carry a card that details your allergy.

2. Carry a pre-loaded adrenaline syringe.

3. Let your work colleagues know of your allergy, and how they can help in the event of an emergency.

4. Prompt treatment with an epinephrine injection is critical in treating an anaphylactic reaction.

5. Breastfeeding helps to prevent allergies.

6. Tree nut allergies are also possible treatment for food allergies.