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Common Food Allergies

Common food allergies are abnormal sensitivities to foods such as dairy products, peanuts, shellfish, eggs, wheat, tree nuts, soy, and corn. Symptoms that develop after ingesting allergens include but are not limited to hives, vomiting, diarrhea, wheezing, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, and swelling. Swelling may encompass the eyes, mouth, and throat leading to anaphylaxis, a very serious reaction that can be life threatening as it can lead to a decrease in blood pressure and shock. Among common foods, peanut allergies in children can be severe making it very important for a caregiver to read the labels on all foods for possible offending ingredients. Those who have severe allergic reactions should have antihistamines or an epinephrine auto injection device handy just in case. Substances that cause abnormal sensitivities can lead to conditions such as eczema, asthma, and other serious autoimmune diseases.



Food sensitivities are common in infants who have been started on solid foods too soon. Solid foods should not start being introduced into a child's diet until he or she is at least six months old. Even then, one item is introduced at a time and the child should be observed for several weeks before trying to introduce another substance. Introducing one substance at a time will allow the caregiver to know which ones should be avoided. The best cereal to introduce first is rice, after that vegetables, fruits, and then proteins. Common food allergies seem to run in families and often include symptoms of hay fever and asthma. Babies who develop eczema should be checked for reactions to food sources.



Reactions to substances that have nutritional value can range from mild to severe. A reaction to dairy products may be related to digestive problems such as lactose intolerance. The symptoms associated with problems digesting milk sugar will usually cause abdominal pain and cramps. The main problem with lactose intolerance is that the person does not have sufficient amounts of the digestive enzyme called lactase. Over-the-counter enzymes can be purchased to ingest at the same time that dairy products are consumed to help the digestive process. If a reaction includes hives, stuffy nose, wheezing, and swelling then consider it common food allergies and take measures to avoid the substance. Suffering with any type of illness can be disheartening but God tells His children to be obedient and listen to His words, "For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh." (Proverbs 4:22)



When an invader comes into contact with the body's immune system it can cause a host of different types of symptoms and discomfort. Unfortunately this can include substances that are consumed as well as other types of triggers such as pollen, pet dander, ragweed, household cleaning products, perfumes, dyes, and cigarette smoke. The discomfort is caused by the release of chemicals in the body trying to rid itself of the allergen. Peanut allergies in children cause this same type of reaction as the body rejects the substance. Having an allergy to peanuts could mean that a person can also have a reaction to legumes and beans since peanuts are not part of the nut family but instead are part of the bean family. However, some people who have reactions to peanuts may have reactions to tree nuts. These include pecans, walnuts, and almonds, among others.



The first thing to do when a substance causes discomfort is to seek the advice of a physician. Allergy tests may reveal sensitivities to common food allergies. A skin test of the opposing substance will show any sensitivity by causing a reaction to the skin. Unfortunately for food sensitivities the only way to treat them is to avoid them. To totally avoid the culprits it may be necessary to read every single food label to find out possible hidden ingredients. Dairy products, wheat, and peanuts are included in many foods and can readily be found on the ingredient list of many processed products. Even items that do not seem to have these ingredients may have trace amounts. For verification, most labels contain a contact number that a person can call to find out questionable items. Peanut allergies in children should alarm the caregiver to be very careful about allowing the child to eat processed foods such as candy, breakfast bars, or products such as trail mix.



Depending upon the severity of the reaction to an ingested substance, a person who has problems should not only avoid the item but should carry a syringe of epinephrine. Sometimes reactions can be life threatening especially in a person who suffers from anaphylaxis shock. Anaphylaxis involves constriction of the lungs, low blood pressure, and swelling of the tongue and throat. Peanut allergies in children and adults can cause this type of severe reaction. Some people who have severe reactions to peanuts may also be allergic to many other foods. For those people the best way to find out what the culprits are is to eliminate all foods and start introducing them back into the diet one at a time.



Allergies, asthma, eczema, and other autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system is not working optimally. Although substance sensitivities are normally not serious, escalation of symptoms should be checked out by a physician. Other symptoms to watch for that may involve the immune system include psoriasis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue disorder, hepatitis, and aids. Some immune system responses can be traced to triggers in the environment, viruses, hormone levels, and even some prescription drugs. Other common triggers to immune responses include but are not limited to viral infections, mononucleosis, blood transfusions, surgery, smoking, and stress.

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