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Facts on Allergies
Some facts on food
allergies:
-
All symptoms of a food
allergy occur within a
few minutes to an hour
of eating.
-
A food allergy can
initially be experienced
as an itching in the
mouth and difficulty
swallowing and
breathing.
-
During digestion of the
food in the stomach and
intestines, symptoms
such as nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, and
abdominal pain can
start. (Incidentally,
gastrointestinal
symptoms are those that
are most often confused
with the symptoms of
different types of food
intolerance.)
-
When the allergens reach
the skin, they can
induce hives or eczema,
and when they reach the
lungs, they can cause
asthma.
-
As the allergens travel
through the blood
vessels, they can cause
light headedness,
weakness, and
anaphylaxis, which is a
sudden drop in blood
pressure. Anaphylactic
reactions are severe
even when they start off
with mild symptoms, such
as a tingling in the
mouth and throat or
discomfort in the
abdomen. They can be
fatal if not treated
quickly.
-
Foods that cause
allergies:
There are eight types of
foods that are
accountable for 90% of
all food-allergic
reactions. The foods
that most commonly cause
anaphylaxis (called
allergenic foods) are: -
Peanuts
-
Tree nuts (walnuts,
pecans, etc.)
-
Shellfish
-
Fish
-
Milk
-
Soy
-
Wheat
-
Eggs
Food Allergy Symptoms:
Symptoms of food
allergies can range from
mildly irritating to
life threatening. The
most common symptoms of
food allergies are:
-
Hives
-
Vomiting
-
Diarrhea
-
Abdominal cramping
-
Swelling of the
throat, lips, or
tongue
-
Difficulty in
breathing or
swallowing
-
Metallic taste or
itching in the mouth
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Allergenic Medications |