Understanding Food Allergies: Symptoms, Reactions, and Treatment

What are Food Allergies?

Food allergies trigger an immune response to specific food proteins:

• Immune Reaction: Antibodies like Immunoglobulin E (IgE) react to food proteins, causing allergic symptoms.
• Histamine Release: Mast cells release histamine upon subsequent exposure, leading to allergic symptoms.

Symptoms of Food Allergies

Food allergy symptoms can vary from mild to severe:

• Mild Reaction: Raised temperature, itchy skin, rashes, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, heart palpitations, weakness.
• Severe Reaction (Anaphylaxis): Swelling of the neck or throat, severe asthma, collapse, unconsciousness, potential fatality.

Treatment and Management

The primary approach to managing food allergies:

• Avoidance: Prevent exposure to allergens to minimize reactions.
• Immediate Action: Remove allergen, seek emergency medical assistance (call 999 or 112), encourage medication use.

Note: Anaphylactic reactions are covered in a separate video.