Avoiding Food Allergy Reactions
Avoiding Food Allergy Reactions
Food allergies affect millions of people. They occur when the body's immune system reacts to certain proteins in food. These reactions range from relatively mild — hives and lip swelling for example — to severe, such as anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening respiratory problem.
While promising prevention and therapeutic strategies are being developed, food allergies currently cannot be cured.
Using Allergen Labels
People with food allergies should carefully check labels and avoid the foods they are allergic to. The law requires that food labels identify the food source of all major food allergens used to make the food. This requirement is met if the common or usual name of an ingredient already identifies that allergen's food source name (for example, buttermilk). Otherwise, the allergen's food source must be declared at least once on the food label in one of two ways:
In parentheses following the name of the ingredient. Examples: "lecithin (soy)," "flour (wheat)," and "whey (milk)" or Immediately after or next to the list of ingredients in a "contains" statement. Example: "Contains wheat, milk, and soy."
Consumers may also see advisory statements such as "may contain [allergen] or "produced in a facility that also uses [allergen]." These are used to address "cross-contact," which can occur when multiple foods with different allergen profiles are produced in the same facility using shared equipment or on the same production line. They may result from ineffective cleaning, or from dust or aerosols generated in the production process.
FDA guidance for the food industry states that advisory statements should not be used as a substitute for adhering to current good manufacturing practices and must be truthful and not misleading.
What to Do If Symptoms of an Allergic Reaction Occur
Symptoms of food allergies typically appear from within a few minutes to a few hours after a person has eaten the food to which he or she is allergic. A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis.
Symptoms of allergic reactions can include:
◾️ Hives
◾️ Flushed skin or rash
◾️ Tingling or itchy sensation in the mouth
◾️ Face, tongue, or lip swelling
◾️ Vomiting and/or diarrhea
◾️ Abdominal cramps
◾️ Coughing or wheezing
◾️ Dizziness
◾️ Swelling of the throat and vocal cords
◾️ Difficulty breathing
◾️ Loss of consciousness
People with a known food allergy who begin experiencing any of these symptoms should stop eating the food immediately, evaluate the need to use emergency medication (such as epinephrine) and seek medical attention. Some of these symptoms are not always due to a food allergen. So, it is important to seek proper care and diagnosis from a healthcare provider to determine if the symptoms were due to a food allergen.
Food Allergies Can Be Life-Threatening ,While most symptoms from food allergies are mild and limited to skin or digestive discomfort, some may progress to a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This can lead to:
◾️ Constricted airways in the lungs
◾️ Severe lowering of blood pressure and shock (anaphylactic shock)
◾️ Suffocation by swelling of the throat and larynx
Symptoms of anaphylaxis may start out as relatively mild but, if not treated promptly, symptoms can become life-threatening in a short amount of time. Recognizing early symptoms of anaphylaxis and prompt injection of the drug epinephrine and other medical intervention can help prevent life-threatening consequences.
It is important to understand that a mild allergic reaction does not always mean the allergy is mild. Any allergic reaction has potential to lead to anaphylaxis. Allergic individuals are advised to always monitor symptoms and seek medical care if needed when symptoms occur.
Source: CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
