More than a third of the world's population suffers from various allergic manifestations. The main reason for the development of such symptoms is allergenic foods. The food we consume daily contains thousands of not always healthy supplements. For this, we pay with all kinds of skin rashes, swelling, asthmatic attacks and other undesirable manifestations.
What is an allergy?
An inadequate reaction of the body to the introduction of any allergen, characterized by internal or external symptoms with the involvement of the immune system in the pathological process, is considered an allergy. Typically, such phenomena occur within the human body. External manifestations are only warning symptoms that cause, however, considerable concern.
The body's reaction to the use of any substance from the list of allergenic products is manifested in the form of production of antibodies by the immune system. When interacting with an irritant, histamine and serotonin are released into the circulatory system. It is these biologically active substances that provoke spasms in the bronchi, intestines and other organs. These same components increase the permeability of blood vessels and provoke the development of inflammatory reactions on the skin, mucous membranes and internal organs.
What can cause a reaction
Any components from the diet can become allergenic products, however, simultaneous reactions to all products immediately almost never happen. Most often, 1 or 2 products become the culprits of undesirable symptoms, less often there are allergies to several products. It is not always possible to quickly identify an allergen.
If a person has a food allergy, it is important to follow a hypoallergenic diet. All food included in the list of allergenic products is divided into different categories depending on the degree of exposure to the body.
Highly allergenic food is considered to be composed of protein compounds. This includes some berries, fruits, dried fruits, nuts and honey. An undesirable reaction of the body can provoke spicy, canned and pickled foods, sugary juices, sodas and spirits.
Medium-allergenic foods include cereals (excluding allergies to gluten) and dairy products (excluding allergies to lactose).
One of the most adverse manifestations that occur after the use of an allergenic product is inflammation of the mucous membranes of the digestive system, causing impaired production of enzymes. They help increase permeability for large molecules, which are considered products of incomplete protein breakdown.
Protein food
Allergies are most often caused by proteins of animal and vegetable origin, rarely certain carbohydrate compounds. Such allergenic foods are seafood, milk, meat, eggs, some crops, fruits, vegetables, honey and nuts.
Highly allergenic are proteins contained in fish, especially marine, as well as any crustacean seafood: shrimp, oysters, lobsters, squid and other inhabitants of the underwater depths. In addition, many amino acids of histidine are present in them.
Milk allergy is often manifested in children and adults. This product contains about 4% protein compounds, most of which are casein and globulins. However, when heated, the globulin is destroyed, and the allergenic properties of the product are somewhat reduced.
In the egg, less allergenic activity is found in the yolks. However, if the patient has intolerance to chicken eggs, then, most likely, it is accompanied by an allergy to chicken meat. In general, of all varieties of animal meat, pork, goose and ducklings are considered the most allergenic.
Carbohydrate compounds
If we consider undesirable reactions to fruits and vegetables, then the main allergen is any kind of citrus. Especially dangerous in this regard will be oranges and tangerines.
The leaders in the list of allergenic products for children and adults are often berries of strawberries, strawberries, raspberries, black currants.
Normal vegetables can also become powerful allergens: carrots, tomatoes, beets, celery. Potato, cabbage and cucumbers have a less sensitizing effect. It must be remembered that the allergenic properties of such products are reduced during their heat treatment.
If we consider cereals, then the most allergenic of them are oats, rye and wheat. Accordingly, dishes prepared from these crops also have high and active intolerance. Rice, millet, corn, buckwheat, and barley will be less safe in this regard.
Rather strong allergens - nuts and cocoa beans, and, therefore, they can provoke an allergy to sweets and coffee.
Types of Allergies
There are many forms and varieties of allergic reactions, which means that the symptoms of this disease can be different. The signs of an allergy are easily confused with the symptoms of certain diseases.
Patients and doctors who daily experience with its manifestations know first hand how food allergy is manifested. All kinds of dermatoses, rhinoconjunctivitis, enteropathic manifestations, asthmatic attacks - these and many other non-specific symptoms are the main indicators of the disease.
However, the symptoms of an unwanted illness are easily confused with other diseases that have similar symptoms.
Signs of a Food Allergy
An aggressive reaction of the body to certain foods is the powerful production of histamines. Typically, the patient knows about the presence of hypersensitivity to certain products from early childhood, because it is then that the first allergic manifestations develop. Intolerance can be external and internal, often requiring emergency medical attention.
Most often, signs of allergy occur within four to five hours after consuming an allergenic product. However, with severe pathologies, only the smell or touch of an intolerable product is enough to start the reaction.
The initial symptoms of manifestations of food allergies are most often swelling of the face and limbs, itching, discomfort in the abdomen, redness and rashes on the skin. Allergic rhinitis and lacrimation sometimes occur.
From what arises in infants
The main causes of food allergies in infants are short-term breastfeeding and early or inadequately started first feeding. Very often, a genetic predisposition or improper nutrition of the mother during breastfeeding contributes to the development of intolerance.
Mistakenly selected milk mixtures and fermented milk products often cause a negative response of the immune system and contribute to the occurrence of milk allergies. Another factor determining the development of such a pathology is the excessive volume of the first feeding. At the initial stages, it is necessary to gradually introduce new products for the baby, and they should be given in small doses. It is important to control the reaction of the baby’s body, and if any allergic symptoms occur to a specific product, immediately remove it from the menu and consult a pediatrician.
Sweet Allergy
Typical allergic reactions to chocolate, sweets, and other confectionery products usually present the same symptoms as most other food reactions. Therefore, in order to identify the true culprit of allergies, it is necessary to undergo a special examination.
Anaphylactic shock
Manifestations in the form of puffiness of the respiratory tract and central nervous system are considered life-threatening. Similar allergic reactions can occur after using any of the ingredients included in the list of allergenic products for a particular patient. Usually they develop rapidly and occur in a period of time from a few seconds to four hours.
Most often, such an aggressive reaction of the body causes food or medications. The threatening symptoms of anaphylactic shock are recognized by such signs as:
- the occurrence of severe shortness of breath;
- lowering blood pressure;
- stuffiness in the ears;
- convulsive conditions;
- unexpected rashes throughout the body, rapid redness or pallor of the skin;
- loss of consciousness;
- uncontrolled bowel movements and urination;
- vomiting
An allergy to milk, seafood or exotic food can occur in such forms.
What to do
With the onset of rapidly developing symptoms, it is necessary to take an antihistamine and immediately consult a doctor. If anaphylactic shock has occurred, in no case should you hesitate, otherwise it will lead to death.
Medical nutrition
The allergen entering the body contributes to the violation of its assimilation and provokes an increase in the absorption of other allergenic molecules. This phenomenon exacerbates the undesirable process, so the main goal in nutrition is to prevent the allergen from entering the body.
What products are considered allergenic to the patient, a person most often knows from childhood. However, if a food allergy starts unexpectedly, an elimination diet should be followed. This approach implies the complete exclusion of any allergens from the diet. Only a doctor can choose a full-fledged daily menu.
It has been proven that many patients completely got rid of allergic symptoms due to the strict observance of all the doctor's prescriptions. If allergenic products are completely excluded from the diet, then the body can defeat the disease in 1-2 years.