Food Allergies: Causes, symptoms, and how to manage them

If you’re someone who constantly deals with rashes or hives, rhinitis, itchy eyes, or any kind of skin reaction — and you’ve already undergone skin tests to identify the triggering allergen, or you’re always taking antihistamines because you know you have histamine-related issues — this article is for you!

What is a food allergy?

A food allergy is an adverse reaction that occurs almost immediately — within two hours — after consuming a problematic food. This reaction is mediated by your immune system, specifically by immunoglobulin E (IgE).

Your immune system reacts to foreign substances. There may even be cross-reactivity with other substances that contain similar peptides or protein fragments to the offending allergen.

Food allergies are often confused with food intolerances. However, food intolerances do not involve an immune response; they occur when the body is unable to properly digest or metabolize a food.

What are the symptoms of food allergies?

Food allergies symptoms can affect the skin, respiratory system, or gastrointestinal system. They usually appear within minutes or up to two hours after ingesting the food. For some individuals, symptoms may be mild, while for others they can be life-threatening. Some of the signs include:

• Eczema, itching (pruritus), hives, atopic dermatitis, or skin redness
• Coughing, sneezing, itchy throat, wheezing, nasal congestion, difficulty swallowing, or airway issues
• Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, bloating
• Dizziness
• Swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or other body parts
• Shortness of breath
• Anaphylactic reaction or anaphylaxis (in cases of severe allergic reactions)

What causes a food allergy?

Food allergies result from a combination of several factors, including (according to Sicherer SH et al., 2020):

Genetic predisposition

There’s a higher likelihood of developing food allergies if there’s a family history of allergies such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, or eczema.

Early childhood exposure

Introducing solid foods before 4–6 months of age may increase the risk of developing food allergies. There’s a long list of foods that should be avoided during the first year (such as cow’s milk, eggs, wheat, fish, or peanuts). It's essential to follow the complementary feeding guidelines provided by pediatricians.

Environmental factors

Exposure to certain environmental allergens, like pollen or dust, can increase susceptibility to food allergies.

Gastrointestinal tract disruption

Did you know that 70% of your immune system is housed in your gut? Disruptions to the intestinal barrier can allow food proteins to cross the intestinal lining and trigger an immune response.

What foods can cause allergic reactions?

Any food can cause an allergy, but certain foods are more commonly associated with allergic reactions. Some of them include:

• Wheat, barley, and rye
• Peanuts
• Shellfish and crustaceans
• Cow’s milk
• Eggs
• Tree nuts such as hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and cashews
• Sesame

How is food allergy diagnosed?

Diagnosing a food allergy usually involves a combination of clinical evaluation and blood or capillary tests to assess food-specific IgE.

Here are the most common diagnostic methods:

• Medical history: The doctor, usually an allergist, collects detailed information about your symptoms:

1. When do they appear?
2. How long do they last?
3. Do they appear after eating a specific food?
4. Is there a family history of allergies?

• Skin tests: Also known as prick tests, these involve applying food extracts to the skin, usually on the forearm.

If you're allergic to a food, a small red bump will likely form at the site, indicating an allergic reaction.

• Blood tests: These tests can measure specific IgE levels for certain foods. Elevated IgE levels to a specific food may indicate a possible allergy.
• Elimination and reintroduction tests: In this method, the suspected food is removed from the diet for a set period to see if symptoms improve. Then, the food is reintroduced under medical supervision to check for an allergic reaction.

In recent years, food-related allergic diseases have increased. It’s estimated that in the U.S., 8% of children and up to 2% of adults have some form of food allergy.

At NutriWhite, we offer the best price-quality ratio in food allergy testing. Our test evaluates 85 foods comfortably and safely using just a finger prick. You can contact our team for more information about the food allergy test here.

What is the treatment for food allergies?

Treatment for food allergies mainly involves avoiding the trigger food. That’s why it’s very important to learn how to read the labels on packaged foods.

In this video, we explain how to do that so you can equip yourself with the tools to avoid ingredients or potential food allergens — including food additives that could also trigger allergic reactions or mast cell activation.

Other common measures include:

• Antihistamines: These can relieve mild to moderate symptoms such as itching, hives, or nasal congestion. However, it's important to address the root cause of your histamine accumulation.
• Immunotherapy: In some cases, doctors recommend oral or subcutaneous immunotherapy — controlled, gradual exposure to the food allergen to build long-term tolerance. However, this approach is still under research and currently available only for certain allergens.
• Injectable medication: In severe cases like anaphylactic shock, having an emergency plan is critical. This may include carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) and knowing how and when to use it.
• Nutritional counseling: Working with a nutritionist is extremely helpful to ensure a balanced, nutrient-rich diet tailored to your needs, preferences, and allergies.

At NutriWhite, we help you «Recover» your health and «Remove» your allergies by personalizing your 3R Immuno-Nutrition Protocol through an online consultation with your nutritionist.

En NutriWhite te ayudamos a «Recuperar» tu salud y «Remover» o eliminar tus alergias personalizando tu Protocolo 3R de Inmunonutrición a través de una consulta con tu nutricionista online.

References:

• Sicherer SH, Warren CM, Dant C, Gupta RS, Nadeau KC. Food Allergy from Infancy Through Adulthood. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020 Jun;8(6):1854-1864. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.02.010. PMID: 32499034; PMCID: PMC7899184. 
• Alletess Medical Laboratory