Allergic reactions can be triggered by many allergen moles and for many forms of interaction, inhalation of the sea, contact or intake. We are going to focus on food allergies, caused by eating an allergenic food.
What son food allergies?
Guillermo Cárdenas, clinical dietitian-nutritionist and member of the Spanish Academy of Nutrition and Dietary Define food allergy as Any adverse reaction to food that is mediated by the immune system. “The body identifies a food or a component of a food (a protein, usual) as a threat to the organism. In this situation, the immunolological system reacts by releasing chemicalsuantes that causes the symptomatology of which of -of Synthesis of synthesis, synthesis, synthesis.
These foods, or some of components, are known as allergins. They are well known by health authorities and food manufacturers are obliged to report the presence of allergers in the labeling.
Differences between intolerance and food allergy
Acting mechanism
Allergy is a defensive arrogance of our Immune system and takes place quicklyIn a matter of minutes.
However, in food intolerance, “the immune system does not intervene. Symptomatology is usually Digestive discomfort and son of late appearance (Hours), after the intake of food. ”It is usually caused by the difficulty to digest some food or absorbing some nutrient.
Diagnosis
An intolerance usually diagnosis of chef or functional tests, such as the Hydrogen and exhaled methane (Lactose, fructose and sorbitol) that reflect the digestive function. In the case of celiacism, it is diagnosed with markers in special Sagre and an intestinal biopsy.
An allergy is usually diagnosis with blood tests (RAST) and skin tests (Cutános Pinchs), to detect species antibodies, in addition to an excuse diet, that is, diet that extends food.
Consequences and severity
A severe food allergic reaction can put the person’s life at risk. A food intolerance, no.
Most frequent food allergies symptoms
- Dermatological: rash, eczema, urticaria, redness of the skin
- Others: swelling, itching, mouth concrete, lips.
- Facials: Face in the face, tongue
- Respiratory: nasal congestion, sneezing
- Digestive: Vomiting, diarrhea (in early childhood)
- In more serious camos: difficulty breathing and Anafiloric shock
What should be done to a severe food allergy (anaphylaxis)?
Given the risk to the life of an anaphylactic shock, the most important thing is prevention. «An allergic person to any food should always carry a Emergency kit To treat an allergic reaction at any time, ”says Cárdenas. Allergic reaction is usually fast after contact with food, so Freba’s response will be rapid ilegal.
The emergency kit consists of a adrenaline autoinjectable pen or pen with the already established dose. «They are sold in pharmacies and is injected intramuscularly, into the thigh, urgently when he hay signs of anaphylaxis,» explains the expert. You don’t have to have medical knowledge to do it. In fact, anyone who is close could do so and, very postponed, save the lives of who is suffering from anaphylaxis. «Once it was recommended, it is recommended to go to the emergency room, since it is reaction to be repeated after a few hours.»
Diagnosis of food allergies
The diagnostic methods of food allergies are protocolized. Given the suspicion of an allergy or intolerance, you have to go to the specialist doctor to assess it and, where appropriate, perform the appropriate tests.
The diagnostic process of an allergy is usually guided steps:
- Review of the medical history (Familiar background since hereditary son allergies in some cases) and symptoms When consuming suspicious foods (type of symptoms, time of appearance after consumption …).
2. Cutanous punctures and/or blood.
- Skin punctures. A small amount of the allergen to be studied and is placed on the appearance of erythema (redness) and/or papula (swelling) in the contact zone after a small prick (puncture) is placed on the skin.
- Burning blood. A blood muaestra is analyzed to determine the amount of IgE antibodies that reacts to the food component.
3. Exclusion diet. After the tests, the suspicious food is eliminated for a while, waiting to see if the symptomatology disappears.
4. Oral provocation tests. Under the strict supervision of the allergologist, small quantity of food is administered to confirm whether it is the cause of the allergic reaction or not.
Most frequent food allergies
In Europe, the prevalence of food allergy in children is between 1.5-4%, and in adults, 9%alders.
The most frequent child:
- Cow’s
- Egg
- Nuts (especially peanuts)
- Fish and seafood
- Wheat
- Soy
In the Mediterrános countries, the most frequent cause of adiento food allergy is the LTP allergy (Lipid conveyor protein), present in the skin of many vegetables. «Symptomatology is triggered after food intake and Presence of a cofactor that activates is reactionBeen physical exercise, non -steroid anti -inflammatories or alcohol consumption, the most frequent, ”says Cárdenas.
Food allergies in children and babies, son most dangerous?
A food allergy can always be dangerous, any age. «Children and babies have an immune system still in development. That is why they are more prone to more unexpected reactions, only more intense and with a more difficult handling,» the expert lawyer lawyer.
In early childhood, prevention is vital to avoid risk situations. It is easy at home, but the risk is triggered in nurseries and schools, which forces caregivers to an extreme precautions to avoid cross contamination or accidental intakes. «As if that were not enough, at those ages they cannot always explain the symptoms that can precede a severe reaction and this can already appear in a serious way. In addition, the respiratory tract are smaller, so any reaction such as a swelling in the mouth or throat, can obtain easier.»
The particular case of egg allergy
It is a frequent relativamme food allergy in childhood, which is reduced in adulthood. «As the child is growing, his immune system also matures and strengthens. In the case of the egg, the proteins responsible for the allergy are in mind (cooked or hineted in pasta, cakes, cookies …), denatured, decomposing them are less allergenic,» he explains.
That is why as the child grows, allergic reactions can be reduced by a disappearance. «The entire procurement must be supervised at the medical level, with skin clicks, bloodstation and provocation test,» says Cárdenas.
Can food allergies be cured?
The mechanism of operation of the allergies and the immune system itself is complex. «It is difficult to affirm to a person that his allergy will disappear. Yes we have strategies to reduce the risk of developing it, especially in the peddertric population,» says Cárdenas.
In families with a history of allergies, the peditra can advise to introduce some foods with high allergenic in a different tempo. «This contributes that the child’s immune system corooz as insurance. It is also known that breastfeeding strengthens the baby’s immune system and reduces the risk of developing food allergies,» emphasizes the opt. It points as the last advice for families, not obsessed with excess hygiene, «that does not help an adequate development of the defenses.»
A measure that the child turns years old, Some food allergies, such as egg allergy and the protein of cow’s milk, tend to send. «Others, senses of Sen, can cost more or last a lifetime. As well as important, follow the allergologist’s instructions to call a good control of allergies and be able to overcome them.»
Currently we work in Very promising emerging pharmacological treatments Based on immunotherapy. The FDA Aprrobó in 2024 a drug for people with peanut allergy. These treatments are not, however, effective for everyone, should always be administered under medical supervisory and their action is limited to that particular food allergy, not others.
Why so many food allergies now among children?
Studies suggest several risk factors as an explanation to this increase. These son the most frequent:
- Family history. If in the common son family asthma, eczema, hives or allergies such as hay fever.
- Have other allergies. If you are already allergic to one food, mayor may be at risk of allergy to another. Degual, if you have other types of allergic reactions, such as hay fever or eczema, your risk of having food allergy allergy is mayor.
- Age. The most common child food allergies in children, special in babies and young children.
- Asthma. Asthma and food allergy usually gathered together. When they do, it is more likely that thessantomas of food allergy and asthma will be serious.
In addition to the previous ones, allergologists usually point to other environmental or habits risk factors:
- Hygiene excess. The contact «living in urban environments, with less contact with nature and with animals in the first years of life has been reduced, is postulated as one of the causes in the strength of strength strengthening of the immune system,» says the expert.
- Changes in compositionis, processing and conservation of food. Certain food additives could alter the immune system. Likewise, some processing systems could multiply the allergenic potential of protein dates.
- Antibiotic abuse at an early age. «This excessive use of intestinal microbioma, very raley with the modulation of allergic reactions,» he says.
Guillermo Cárdenas. Clinical nutritionist with more than 15 years of experimentia in nutritional support in patients affected from different pathologies: hepábtic, digestive, pneumological, cardiac and in patients translated from solid and critical organ. Publications and active presence in congresses and days of the main reference societies in clinical nutrition (Senpe and Espen). He is a member of the Spanish Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics where he has participated in the training programs giving food intolerance training. Active is an Active in the training of students of the degree of human and dietary nutrition in different universis and tutor of as a prátickas at Hospital Vall d’Obron. It is also part of the training of students of the Bachelor of Medicine at the Universitat Auttònoma de Barcelona
