Do not underestimate the danger of food allergies. Food allergies - is the abnormal reaction to certain foods, actuated by the immune system. It should not be confused with food intolerance or food poisoning. Symptoms of food allergy may be as vomiting and skin rashes, and life-threatening reactions, such as respiratory spasm, swelling of the throat or tongue. Anaphylaxis - it provoked certain foods potentially fatal allergic reaction.

According to research conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the immune system reacts in two ways: to produce antibodies immunoglobulin E (IgE) and type of cells, called mast cells which are, or mast cells. IgE circulate in the blood, while mast cells tend to concentrate in the area of ​​allergic reactions, such as the nose, skin and digestive tract. When a person has a predisposition to allergic reaction, uses a certain food, the body produces in response to a small amount of immunoglobulin E, which is attached to the surface of mast cells.

When the allergenic food is used again, the protein interacts with the IgE, triggering the release of histamine, and as a result there are allergic reactions such as watery, itchy eyes, hives. The human body with a tendency to develop allergies will produce more immunoglobulin E. important role in the development of a common food allergy plays a heredity. This is attributed to a recessive gene. It was found that prenatal maternal diet and smoking can influence the development of food allergies.

Food intolerance and food sensitivity does not induce an immune response. Lactose intolerance - a common manifestation of food sensitivities. This is because a person lacking a specific enzyme that is important for the digestion of milk products. Food sensitivity to monosodium glutamate sometimes also called Chinese restaurant syndrome. Food poisoning often pseudoallergic reaction to the harmful impurities contained in certain foods (potatoes, beans).

Symptoms of food allergies

When food allergy someone appear swelling in the body, someone - dizziness, nausea and diarrhea. Shortness of breath and a runny nose are also symptoms of certain types of food allergies. They usually appear within hours after eating certain foods. Sometimes the reaction is immediate. Mast cells in the digestive tract cause abdominal pain and diarrhea, and skin mast cells provoke irritation and rashes Rash: Classification - primary and secondary elements   on the skin. The result of histamine release in the nose and throat is itchy tongue, difficulty breathing and swallowing. The digestion process also affects the symptoms of allergies. For severe burning tongue may be followed vomiting and stomach cramps. Allergens ply the organism into the bloodstream, there are signs of food allergies such as hives and lowering blood pressure.

Conventional food allergy

The most common allergens - fish, eggs, milk proteins, peanuts, tomatoes and strawberries; a little less common - soy and milk protein. If a person is allergic to a certain food, it is likely that his body will react negatively to other products of the same food group. For a person with allergies to shrimp allergens may be other shellfish (crab, lobster). For one who is allergic to peanuts, may be allergic to other nuts. Suffering from the common food allergies should avoid eating with strangers composition carefully read food labels carefully and make reservations at restaurants. To be safe the menu, it is better to use special cookbooks for people with allergies.

Diagnosis of food allergy

Someone can identify foods provocateurs yourself to someone for this consultation is necessary allergist. For the diagnosis of food allergy used the following methods.

The blood test detects antibodies to specific food allergens. Then, using the provocative test studying the reaction to small amounts of suspected allergens. The most common assays determine the level of IgE and antibodies.

Skin tests. Skin placed dilute extracts of various products. The appearance of swelling on the skin indicates the presence of an allergy to a particular food.

Elimination diet - a sort of trial and error: the patient ceases to use the product suspected of causing the allergy. When a few days, he again enters the product into the diet, on reaction of the organism can be determined whether or not it is an allergen.

If a person is allergic to one or two products, they can be easily excluded from the diet. If you are allergic to some food groups prescribed cyclic diet. Action allergens used while being alternately attenuated, and their portability can be improved.

Treatment of food allergy

If itching help calamine lotion and antihistamines; normal cool shower can also be useful. For the treatment of anaphylaxis used adrenaline - it acts as a bronchodilator. Benadryl eliminates the effects of histamine, it is used in less severe reactions. Those who suffer from very severe symptoms of allergy, anti-allergy injections do. They alter the susceptibility of the immune system and prevent the occurrence of allergic reactions. Vitamin C stabilizes mast cells and reduces histamine release; it's a good aid. To facilitate the allergy is sometimes used pantotenicheskayu acid. If an allergic reaction, it changes the pH of the body in the direction of greater acidity, alkali level in the blood and the patient feels better.

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