5 foods that cause allergies
Several food allergies make it difficult for some to enjoy a whole palate of ingredients in the world, and it is not easy to understand why some people don’t react well to certain foods or food groups. It has been challenging to come up with treatments for such allergic reactions. However, some experimental treatments may be helpful, so let’s talk about what steps one can take to avoid an allergic reaction to these foods.
Shellfish
Marine animals like shrimp, prawns, scallops, lobster, squid, and crayfish are called shellfish. The protein tropomyosin found in these shellfish acts as a trigger along with other proteins like arginine kinase and myosin. The symptoms of this allergy attack include rashes, hives, swelling, or vomiting. Since there is no particular treatment for this allergy, the only way to manage the symptoms is to exclude these food items from the diet.
Wheat
There are several hundred proteins found in wheat, and one of them is known to be a trigger for wheat allergy. This is most commonly found in children; however, most of them outgrow this allergy once they reach the age of 10 years. Therefore, it is best to know if you are allergic to this food item by getting a skin-prick test done, as sometimes the symptoms may be too severe.
Eggs
This is known to be the second most common food allergy in children. Some can be allergic to just the yolks and not the egg whites and vice versa. Symptoms of this allergy include stomach ache, hives, rash, respiratory issues, and a rare reaction called anaphylaxis. It is observed that most children outgrow this allergy as they turn 16. However, if your child remains allergic, it is advised to exclude eggs from their diet.
Cow milk
This is known to be a common allergen among babies and young children. Any person with this allergy will start to show a reaction within 5-30 minutes of cow milk consumption. Expect hives, rashes, vomiting, swelling, and even anaphylaxis in some rare cases. There is no treatment for this, and the only way to stop the triggers is to avoid cow milk and products.
Peanuts
Peanuts, a common food allergen, can cause severe reactions, and in some cases, even fatal. If you are allergic to peanuts, your are more likely also allergic to other tree nuts. After tedious research, scientists have come up with peanut allergy immunotherapy treatments that help with this condition. There are three types: oral, epicutaneous, and sublingual immunotherapy.
- Oral immunotherapy
This involves taking small amounts of peanut powder orally through FDA-approved medicines, including Palforzia. - Epicutaneous immunotherapy
This is also known as the “peanut patch” treatment plan: this therapy involves an adhesive patch of peanut protein attached to the skin. The doses start small, increasing the body’s tolerance to the allergen. - Sublingual immunotherapy
This involves placing drops of peanut protein under the tongue for 2 minutes before it is swallowed.