According to the organization, Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), food allergies occur when “your immune system overreacts to a harmless food protein-an allergen.” FARE explains that food allergies can be mild to severe and potentially life-threatening, leading to the startling statistic of a food allergy sending someone in the United States to the emergency room every 3 minutes.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAI), reports that you can develop a food allergy to foods you have been eating for years with no reaction as food allergies can occur at any age. Food allergies can be to anything that is consumed. However, ninety percent of all reactions are to eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, wheat, and soy.
FARE lists some of the symptoms of food allergies as:
- Hives
- Nausea
- Sneezing
- Trouble Swallowing
- Loss of Consciousness
- Sense of “impending doom”
The most severe reaction to a food allergy or other allergens is anaphylaxis. AAAI defines anaphylaxis as “a serious allergic response that involves swelling, hives, lowered blood pressure and in several cases, shock.” It can be fatal if not treated immediately with an epinephrine injection.
If you already know that you have food allergies, be sure to take precautions about what you eat and carry any necessary allergy medications with you . If you suspect that you may be having some allergic reactions to certain foods, do not hesitate to discuss your options with your physician. To schedule an appointment at any of our convenient Primary Medical Care Center community clinics, you may visit our website at www.primarymed.com, or call (305)751-1500 for our Miami-Dade clinic, or (954)289-0000 for our Broward clinic.
https://acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergy