FOOD EMERGENCIES: ALLERGIES AND INTOLERANCE
WHAT ARE ALLERGIES?
Allergies occur as a result of your immune system overreacting to one or more substances that are not typically harmful to your body. The severity of these allergic reactions varies per individual and could show as swelling, skin irritation, breakouts, sneezing, coughing, itching, or in more life-threatening situations as choking, medically referred to as anaphylaxis.
FOOD ALLERGIES
Food allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to a substance or an entire food item that you consumed. These allergies generally begin in childhood as they are most common in babies and young children, but they can continue into adulthood. Food allergies can also develop on food that has previously been consumed and where no allergic reaction occurred.
The best way to prevent allergic reactions to food is to avoid the specific food item or products that may contain triggers.
Food allergens can remain on a surface or be transferred from one surface to another. This is especially important as most foods are prepared in factories or communal kitchens such as restaurants etc. Allergic reactions can be sparked when a person comes into contact with such surfaces.
Depending on your level of allergic reaction, your response can vary from mild to very severe. Thoroughly washing the surface with soap and water will eliminate the allergen.
SYMPTOMS OF FOOD ALLERGIES
For some people, an allergic reaction to a particular food may be uncomfortable but not severe. For other people, an allergic food reaction can be frightening and even life-threatening. Food allergy symptoms usually develop within a few minutes to two hours after eating the offending food.
They include:
Tingling or itching in the mouth
Hives, itching or eczema
Swelling of the lips, face, tongue and throat or other parts of the body
Wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
Runny nose
Coughing
Streaming eyes
CAUSES OF ALLERGIES
When you have a food allergy, your immune system mistakenly identifies a food substance (protein) as something harmful. In response, your immune system triggers cells to release an antibody known as immunoglobulin E to neutralize the allergy-causing food or food substance (the allergen).
The next time you eat even the smallest amount of that food, Immunoglobin E antibodies sense it and signal your immune system to release a chemical called histamine, as well as other chemicals, into your bloodstream. These chemicals cause allergy symptoms.
Histamine is a powerful chemical that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin or cardiovascular system. The allergy symptoms you have depend on where in the body the histamine is released. If it is released in the ears, nose and throat, you may have an itchy nose and mouth, or trouble breathing or swallowing. If histamine is released in the skin, you may develop hives or a rash. If histamine is released in the gastrointestinal tract, you likely will develop stomach pains, cramps or diarrhea. Many people experience a combination of symptoms as the food is eaten and digested.
FOOD THAT CAUSE ALLERGIES
Eggs
Wheat
Milk
Peanuts or groundnut
Treenuts (pistalchio, cashews, hazelnut, almonds etc)
Shellfish including shrimp, lobster and crabs.
Soy
Fish
Mustard seed

While children may outgrow allergies, adult who later develop allergies may likely have them for life. The majority of allergies reactions tend to happen within minutes to two hours after eating. In sensitive cases the reaction can happen immediately especially where the reaction results in anaphylaxis. Understanding what triggers your allergies will help you make informed meal choices, especially when eating out.
ANAPHYLAXIS
In some people, a food allergy can trigger a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This can cause life-threatening signs and symptoms, including:
Constriction and tightening of the airways
A swollen throat or the sensation of a lump in your throat that makes it difficult to breathe
Shock with a severe drop in blood pressure
Rapid pulse
Dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness
Emergency treatment is critical for anaphylaxis. Untreated, anaphylaxis can cause a coma or even death.
FOOD INTOLERANCE
Food intolerance is a digestive problem that occurs when a specific food is eaten. Intolerance to lactose, which is found in milk and other dairy products, is the most common food intolerance. Food intolerances often are dose related; people with food intolerance may not have symptoms unless they eat a large portion of the food or eat the food frequently
SYMPTOMPS OF FOOD INTOLERANCE
Nausea
Stomach pain
Gas, cramps and bloating.
Vomiting
Heartburn
Diarrhea
Headaches
Irritability or nervousness
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FOOD INTOLERANCE AND FOOD ALLERGY
Food intolerance is the body’s initial reaction to the food through the digestive system, independent of the immune system while food allergy is an immune system reaction to the food consumed.
Food intolerance symptoms tend to take longer to appear than food allergy symptoms.
In food intolerance, the amount of the food the person eats is related to the severity of their symptoms. On the other hand, with a food allergy, even a small amount of food can trigger a severe allergic reaction.
In Food intolerance, Reactions can be severe and extremely unpleasant but are rarely life-threatening but Severe and potentially life-threatening reactions that may include anaphylaxis (anaphylactic shock).
WRITTEN BY AKANMU ADEOLA