Common food allergy symptoms
Many people develop food allergy symptoms within minutes to an hour after eating. Difficulty breathing and swallowing are two of the most common symptoms, others include itching of the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. Many people confuse gastrointestinal symptoms with food allergies.

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Other people can experience hives or eczema from the food allergens as they enter the blood stream. Many people develop asthma as a result of food allergies. Most people also experience lightheadedness, weakness, and anaphylaxis (a sudden drop in blood pressure). Those who experience anaphylaxis need immediate medical attention as this can be fatal if not treated quickly.

Food Allergies in Infants and Adults
Many infants experience food allergies to milk or soy formula. It typically does not cause hives or asthma, but causes colic or blood in the stool. The exact cause of colic is uncertain; many medical doctors believe it is a build-up of gas in the infant's stomach, causing them to cry for long periods of time. Most infants are placed on special formula to help control their food allergies to milk. Doctors recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 to 12months of life to prevent allergies to milk or soy. The reason breastfeeding is recommended for an infant is because it contains less protein than soy formula or cow's milk.

Adults experience allergic reactions to several different types of food such as: shellfish, shrimp, crayfish, lobster, crab, nuts, walnuts, fish, eggs, peanuts, and legumes. Peanuts are a common food allergen to many people and even the slightest exposure to a peanut can cause the person to go into anaphylactic shock. Most people require medication for peanut allergies, or need to carry a shot with them at all times in case of emergency.

Children sometimes can outgrow their allergies before they reach adulthood. Unfortunately if you develop food allergies as an adult, you are less likely to outgrow your food allergies.

Strict avoidance of the food allergen is the only way you can avoid an allergic reaction. Many foods are sold with labels that contain information about what ingredients are in that food. Also, some food labels include warning labels for those with allergic reactions to peanuts to inform them if their product is made in a facility that produces peanuts.

How is a food allergy diagnosed?
To diagnose a food allergy, your doctor will review your family's medical history to see if a particular food allergen runs in the family gene. Your doctor will also ask you questions about the types of food you are eating and the reactions you noticed to certain foods.

Most patients are told to keep a record of the contents of each meal they eat for a given period of time. This allows the doctor to see if reactions occurred during a given time period and what foods may be causing the allergies. Many doctors will then prescribe an "elimination diet". An elimination diet is when a doctor tells a patient not to eat a particular type of food to see if it is causing the food allergy. Then, the patient will resume eating the food, and if a reaction occurs, the doctor knows exactly what food is causing the food allergy.

Some doctors also use skin tests to determine food allergies. An extract of the suspected food is placed on the forearm or back and is scratched with a needle and observed for swelling or redness. A positive scratch test will indicate that the patient has the IgE that is specific for the food being tested.

Blood tests are done on patients when a skin test cannot be performed. The tests measure the presence of food-specific IgE in the blood of patients. A positive blood test will make the diagnosis of a specific food allergy.

A popular test being used to diagnose food allergies is called the food challenges. Various foods are placed in individual capsules without being marked as to what type of food it actually is. The patient swallows the capsule and the doctor will observe the patient to determine if an allergic reaction occurs.

Food allergy versus Food intolerance
Most people think that food allergy and food intolerance are the same thing. They are similar, but quite different. Food intolerance is an adverse food-induced reaction that does not involve your immune system. Lactose is a common food intolerance. Many people are unable to digest milk sugar because their body does not produce enough enzymes needed to digest it. This causes a person to have gas, bloating, and abdominal pain.

Food allergies occur when your immune system reacts to a certain food. The IgE antibodies react with the food and histamine is released causing your body to have an allergic reaction such as hives, asthma, or swelling.

How are food allergies treated?
One of the best methods for treating food allergies is to avoid the particular food altogether. Once a food has been identified as causing the allergic reaction, the food must be removed from your diet. Since this can cause an unbalanced diet for many people, you will need to find supplemental foods to make up for the lack of needed foods. The FDA does require ingredients of food to be listed on the label so you can check the food to be sure you are not eating something you are allergic to. Restaurants often do not include all the ingredients they use when cooking their food, so be sure to avoid ordering foods you suspect might contain ingredients you are allergic to.

Patients who have severe food allergies must be prepared with an anaphylactic shot. Many patients who are allergic to peanuts carry a shot with them at all times as exposure to peanuts can cause their throat to swell or cause the person to have seizures. Once the shot has been administered, the person must seek immediate medical attention.

There are other medications available for those with symptoms of food allergies. Antihistamines are used to relieve gastrointestinal symptoms, hives, sneezing, or a runny nose. Patients who have asthma typically have a bronchodilator. A bronchodilator is inhaled through the mouth and administers medicine immediately to the patient. The bronchodilator increases the airflow to a patient whose food allergies restrict their breathing abilities. No medication is currently available for preventing an allergic reaction before eating the food.

Key Points to Remember about Food Allergies
Always seek the advice of a medical professional if you suspect you may have a food allergy. Knowing your family history will help a doctor narrow down what type of food allergy you may have. Food allergies are not common, but can be a serious problem if they are not properly diagnosed. Remember that food allergies differ from food intolerances such as lactose intolerance. Food intolerances are more common than food allergies.

The most common symptoms of food allergies are: tightness in the throat, hoarse voice, wheezing, cough, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Typically food allergens affect your eyes, nose, throat, respiratory system, skin, and digestive system. Depending upon the person, you may have a mild reaction or a severe reaction that requires medical attention.

Food allergies that develop in infancy or childhood are likely to diminish by adulthood. Those individuals who develop food allergies as an adult typically suffer from food allergies the rest of their life. The best method to treat your food allergy is to avoid the food without hurting your balanced diet. If you suffer from extreme food allergies, you should carry a bracelet or necklace that informs people what to do if you go into anaphylactic shock. Always carry medication with you if you have severe food allergies. Always be sure to read the labels on food before you consume them!