It appears that food allergies are on the rise, although the reasons for this are still unclear. Food allergies typically manifest symptoms at a very young age, so an allergist in Elizabethtown KY is accustomed to having many pediatric patients. Children often outgrow certain types of food allergies, but a significant number have these problems throughout adulthood.
Common food allergies among children include milk, wheat, eggs, soy, shellfish, tree nuts, and peanuts, which are technically legumes. Kids tend to outgrow the first four foods on that list, but the other allergies often continue. At a clinic such as Dr. Smith, the doctor can do repeated testing, so parents know when it’s safe for their children to begin eating certain foods that previously caused negative reactions.
Food allergy symptoms may include nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, a stuffy or a runny nose, wheezing and rashes. Some people have life-threatening reactions when they ingest the substance they are allergic to. Anaphylaxis leads to the throat swelling and the airways narrowing, making it difficult or impossible to breathe. The body goes into a shock reaction in response to the allergen.
Anaphylactic shock is more common with an allergy to peanuts than to any other food substance. People who have been diagnosed with a peanut allergy are advised to carry an epinephrine injection with them whenever they might accidentally come in contact with the food. Even the slightest consumption of peanut protein can be dangerous for these individuals. This makes it difficult to eat out at restaurants, at family gatherings and at parties, where food can easily be contaminated with the substance.
One promising new treatment is known as oral immunotherapy. Under medical supervision, participants in studies consume tiny amounts of the foods they are allergic to and increase the amount at each session. This appears to be successful at building up their immunity to those foods and prevents allergic reactions. Since this therapy is still in the research stages, it is not available to the general public. People who want to know when the treatment is ready for patients at clinics may talk with an allergist in Elizabethtown KY about oral immunotherapy.
