Food allergies occur when the immune system overreacts. It interprets non-threatening substances, such as foods, as potentially dangerous. A food allergy is very different from a food intolerance, where a person may have problems digesting a food.
In the United States, there are eight foods commonly associated with food allergies: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish. Peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish allergies are usually life-long and are not outgrown.
Food allergies are serious!
In the United States, someone goes to the Emergency Room every three minutes because of a food allergy. It is very important to note that the amount of food eaten does not have a bearing on whether the body will react – even the smallest piece of the food can cause a reaction. Reactions can vary from mild itching to a severe, life threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Epinephrine is the ONLY medication that can treat this life threatening reaction. For this reason, it is vital that food allergic people carry epinephrine auto-injections (example: Epipen or Auvi-q) with them at all times.
Why the increase in food allergies?
Why do so many people have food allergies and why is that number growing? The answer is, we do not know. One popular theory is that our avoidance of germs and parasites, especially during childhood, has led to more food allergies. Other suspected causes include pollution, the crossbreeding of plants, the use of antibiotics in animals, and even the lack of sun exposure. It is noticeable that there has been a steady rise in food allergies since the American Association of Pediatrics recommended that children under 3 years of age avoid certain foods, such as peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish. While early avoidance of these foods is not believed to be the entire explanation, the CDC feels that it may have contributed to some of the increased cases. Although no one theory has proven to be the answer, it could be a combination of them all, or an explanation we have yet to discover.
There is NO cure for a food allergy!
Prevention and preparedness are the cornerstones of treatment. If you or someone you know may have a food allergy, an allergist can help. An allergist can test for food allergies and discuss an action plan. Such a plan could save you or someone you love from a life threatening food reaction! Allergists at Advanced Allergy & Asthma Care specialize in the treatment of allergies, including food allergies. Our convenient locations in Fairfield County, Connecticut include Danbury, New Milford, Norwalk, and Ridgefield.