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       Food Allergies!!!
   DIR By: Butterfly
       Date: August 22, 2012, 10:03 am
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       Although one can have them almost from birth, it seems nature
       plays a cruel trick on us as we age lol and we all of a sudden
       become allergic to something either because of medication or an
       ingredient that is now added to the product to keep it health or
       preseve it!!!
       Food Allergy
       
       A food allergy is an adverse or abnormal reaction to a food or a
       food additive.
       Causes
       A few specific foods seem to cause a majority of the food
       reactions. The most likely triggers of a food reaction include:
       Peanuts
       Tree nuts (ie, walnuts, pecans)
       Eggs
       Cow's milk and other dairy products
       Wheat
       Soy
       Shellfish and other seafood
       Tomatoes
       Fresh fruit, especially citrus, strawberries, melon
       Food dyes and chemical additives
       Risk Factors
       A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting
       a disease or condition.
       Age: young children
       History of eczema
       History of other types of allergies, including hay fever
       Symptoms
       Symptoms include:
       Gurgling stomach
       Stomach cramps, pain
       Nausea
       Vomiting
       Diarrhea
       Skin rash, especially hives
       Skin itching
       Cough
       Wheezing
       Shortness of breath
       Swelling in lips, mouth, tongue, throat
       Nasal congestion
       Severe drop in blood pressure
       Hives
       © 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
       Diagnosis
       The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and
       perform a physical exam. Food allergies are often diagnosed
       based on your own observations of reactions to food or drink. It
       is a good idea to keep a diary of your symptoms, when they
       occur, and what you have eaten.
       Tests may include:
       Elimination Diet
       You may be asked to go on an "elimination diet." Under your
       doctor's care, you do not eat a food that is suspected as the
       cause of your reaction. If your symptoms decrease or go away,
       your doctor can almost always make a diagnosis. If you eat the
       food and your symptoms come back, the diagnosis is confirmed.
       This method should not be used if symptoms are severe.
       Scratch Skin Test
       Your doctor can also use a scratch skin test. The doctor will
       put a dilute extract of the food on your forearm or back skin.
       If there is swelling or redness, an allergic reaction may be
       present. Using the results of the skin test in combination with
       your history of symptoms, the doctor will make the diagnosis.
       This test should not be used if you are severely allergic or
       have eczema.
       RAST or ELISA Test
       In these cases, the doctor may order blood tests (RAST or
       ELISA). These tests measure the level of food-specific IgE in
       the blood. IgE is a type of protein that the body produces when
       it comes in contact with something to which it is allergic. The
       presence of IgE in the blood may indicate an allergy.
       Treatment
       Avoid foods and food ingredients that cause you to have an
       allergic reaction. If you think you've eaten something to which
       you are allergic, and you have difficulty breathing, call for
       emergency medical help immediately.
       Treatments include:
       Antihistamine medication
       Epinephrine shot
       Corticosteroid medication
       Prevention
       To reduce your chance of having a food allergy reaction:
       Avoid eating/drinking substances to which you know you are
       allergic.
       Read the ingredient label on every food product that you eat.
       If you go to a restaurant, discuss your allergy with the food
       server and ask about all ingredients.
       Learn the chemical names for all your allergens so that you
       recognize them on an ingredients list.
       If you have a severe, anaphylactic-type food allergy, ask your
       doctor if you should carry a dose of epinephrine with you.
       Consider wearing a medical alert bracelet to inform others of
       your allergy.
       
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