FOOD ALLERGIES

Food allergy is defined as an adverse immunologic response to a dietary protein.

Food-related reactions are associated with a broad array of sign and symptoms that
may involve many bodily systems including the skin, gastrointestinal and
respiratory tracts, and cardiovascular system. (Waserman S,Watson W, 2011)
Basically, any food can be the causes of food allergies. However, the most common
food that can cause food allergic are eggs, milk, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish,
wheat and soy. Based on a research, the maturity of the gastrointestinal tract may
also be a factor, as epidemiologic studies have shown a higher rate of food allergies
in young children as compared with adults. In contrast, population-based studies
suggest that early introduction of food may be protective of food allergy. In Israel,
where infants are fed a peanut snack (Bamba) starting at an early age, there is a
10-fold lower incidence of peanut allergy compared with Jewish children in Hebrew
schools in London, where peanuts products are not introduced until children are
much older. (Wang J. and Sampson H.A, 2011). In addition, certain seeds such as
sesame and mustard seeds are few of commo food allergy triggers and beinga a
major allergen in some coutries.
Every disease usually have their own symptoms, it is the same as food allergies, as
food enter the body, immunes system that keeps human healthy start to give
reactions towards food as a way to protect the human. Its reaction will cause some
reaction either chronic or unchronic symptoms. The most chronic allergic reactions
is anaphylaxis- a life-threatening whole-body allergic reactions that can impair our
breathing, cause a dramatic drop in our blood presuure and affect our heart rate.
Since the symptoms is different for different people, it may involve different organ
such as skin, gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system and respiratory tract.
Example of common systems are vomiting or stomach cramps, hives, shortness of
breath, wheezing, repetitive cough and dizziness or feeling faint.
Allergy have many kinds of forms which are severe allergy and anaphylaxis,
respiratory allergy, food allergy, skin allergy, rubber latex allergy and allergy to
wrap and bee stings. But, among all types of allergy, food allergy I the most
threatening form of allergy. Example of food allergy are egg allergy, soy allergy,
seafood allergy, peanut and tree nut allergy and so on. Lets say, a man is having

egg allergy. He needs to watch out of his food and avoid based-egg-food. Foods like
plain cakes that contain well cooked eggs, lemon curd that are made of loosely
cooked egg and fresh mayonnaise that contain raw egg are a no to him.
Food allergies is something under control. People with food allergy can control their
aallergy by taking care of what they eat. Once we are diagnosed with food allergy,
we need to consult the doctor on how to treat the allergic reactions. In a serious
case, epinephrine is prescribed as epinephrine would reverse the symptoms of
anyphylaxis. Other medication such as steroids, antihistamines and asthma
medications also can be used. It is better to prevent than to cure. So, wherever we
go, bring along medication we need, strict avoidance of problem foods, wearing
emergency medical information and develop a food allergy and anaphylaxis
emergency care plan with our doctor. Once the food allergy occurred, take
medication at a first sign of reaction, go to emergency room for follow up treatment.
As we know, food allergies is most common among children. They spend most of
their times at school. So its is important to educate them and school management
on how to take the action if food allergy happen. Firstly, school management need
to have food allergy anad anaphylaxis emergency care plan. This document will
outline the treatment for the children. Besides, parents need to provide information
and medication to the school. Teachers also need to know how to coop with food
allergy student, such as using non-incentives and having rapid access to
epinephrine auto injectors.
Government really play their role in this problem. In some countries, thay had
labelled the food products clearly to warn the consumers as if the products contaion
major allergens of food allergies. Theres a new legislation which ask food
producesrs to provide allergy information on food sold.
There are some true stories about food allergies. Marry A is a mom of a food
allergies kids, Jack. He was diagnosed with food allergy since 10-months old. As he
get older, his allergies getting worse. Marry and her husband try their best to keep
their son safe. As Jack enter the school, they face problem where school ask for
proof upon his son food allergies. The problem settle when the school ended on
positive note. Jack also know how to keep himself safe as educate by his parents.

As a conclusion, food allergies can be controlled if every people take part in care
about others. Not only parents need to care for their children, government and
school also need to care for those with food allergies especially kids as this will
threaten their life.