Food Allergy

Food allergy is a health condition or a reaction where eating even a very small quantity of a particular food item can cause diarrhea, cramping, vomiting, nausea and skin rash. Such a hypersensitivity reaction occurs when the body starts reacting to a particular food substance which is harmless and causes an allergic reaction.

Alcohol Intolerance: A reaction caused with the intake of alcoholic beverages is known as Alcoholic intolerance. Flushing and nasal congestion is usually visible and transient. Reaction to alcohol is also seen in the form of increased heart rate, reduced blood pressure and vasomotor rhinitis. In the stomach presence of alcohol can result in increased absorption of food allergens and chances of various food allergies.

Egg Allergy: Eggs can cause a life threatening health condition called anaphylaxis. An allergy towards an egg can be extremely sensitive where a child can suffer its consequences within its intake for the first time. Individuals are usually sensitive to iysozyme which is produced from the hen's egg. To avoid egg allergy an individual should avoid buying food items from vendors who do not change the frying surface.

Wheat Allergy: Wheat allergy comes under the category of food allergy. The immune system reacts in a serious manner to the dietary substances from wheat. Adults and children can both suffer from this allergy. The only treatment which is available is an exclusion diet.

Peanut Allergy: One of the most fatal and serious food allergies is peanut allergy. It is described as a sensitive response of the immune system to peanut protein which results in the release of histamine chemicals in the body which causes a lot of symptoms. Peanut allergy is visible in the form of:

• Swelling of lips
• Shock
• Congested runny nose
• Rashes
• urticaria

Milk Allergy: Milk allergy is also seen in the form of lactose intolerance, which includes a reaction to sheep, cows and goats milk. Some individuals are unable to produce enough lactase which is an enzyme which is needed to breakdown lactose. A reaction starts to appear when the digestive system fails to cope with raw lactose, where in symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating and vomiting takes place.

Seafood Allergy: Seafood allergy comes under the category of food allergy. When an immune system of an individual reacts in a sensitive manner to constituents from fish or any seafood product which causes mild or severe symptoms is known as seafood allergy. Anaphylaxis is an adverse reaction which is a result of this allergy. An exclusion diet is one way by which seafood allergy can be treated.

Sesame Allergy: With the growing use of Sesame, its allergy caused is also increasing. Sesame oils and seeds are used as a medium of cooking and also in breads, biscuits, salads, and houmous. Allergy caused due to Sesame can be severe and can even cause anaphylaxis. Reaction to poppy seeds, kiwi fruit, rye grain and hazelnuts may also occur among individuals who suffer from sesame allergy. To avoid the occurrence of Sesame allergy individuals should avoid the use of Sesame oil as the seeds contained are not refined.

Wheat Intolerance: When an individual experiences difficulty in digesting wheat, shows that he suffers from wheat intolerance. Health risks involved with wheat intolerance are anaemia, osteoporosis, bowel cancer and diabetes. The symptoms involved are low blood iron levels, eczema, aching joints, gastro - intestinal problems and depression. The treatment that is advised for wheat intolerance is staying away from wheat and its constituents.

Yeast: Yeast is an ingredient which is used as a preservative in wines, cakes and bread. It is mainly a fungus which multiplies under damp circumstances, infects the body and helps a lot in the fermentation process. Yeast function is mainly due to a fungus called Candida which is not an outsider in the body and is present in a small quantity in the human body but its multification is limited due to the presence of other bacteria. The mouth and other wet areas of the body are easily infected with yeast. When the presence of yeast is more in the body it can over power other bacteria present in the body.