Food Allergy

A food allergy occurs when our immune system mistakenly perceives a substance that is normally harmless, namely a food, as a harmful substance. When the person later eats the same food again, the immune system releases large amounts of chemicals and histamine. These chemicals trigger a series of allergic reactions that can affect the respiratory system, digestive system, skin and cardiovascular system. Food allergies can appear from infancy and childhood, and even starting in the womb.

In food allergy, the body's immune system develops an immediate reaction against a specific food. In these types of reactions, the person's immune system sees that food as an invader and responds immediately within a few minutes, and typical acute symptoms can develop within minutes or even seconds. In some extreme cases it can even be life-threatening. Food sensitivity is defined as non-allergic food hypersensitivity. According to another definition, it consists of adverse reactions that occur after every consumption of certain foods and their ingredients.

Food sensitivity occurs when the body cannot cope with certain foods. This condition, which develops against any food, drink or additive, affects only certain organs or systems without causing an allergy in the body. The most common food sensitivity is to cow's milk. In many people, it results from a deficiency of the lactase enzyme, which is normally produced in the cells lining the small intestine. People who lack the lactase enzyme cannot convert milk sugar into the simpler forms that can enter the bloodstream.

Infants who have a history of allergy (allergic rhinitis, asthma, food allergy or eczema) in at least one parent or sibling can have a risk of developing a food allergy within the first 5-7 years of life that is as high as 20%. In infants, a food allergy can develop through small amounts of allergens in breast milk. Infants at risk of allergy can become allergic to the cow's milk and soy proteins in formula.

General symptoms that may be caused by food sensitivity

Food intolerance most commonly causes abdominal pain, bloating, gas and diarrhea; consult a doctor for other complaints.

How is food sensitivity treated?

After the foods to which an individual is sensitive have been identified, the best treatment method is to remove these foods from the person's diet. When these foods are removed from the diet, suitable alternative foods that can replace them must be added to the diet. For this reason, professional nutritional advice should be sought. Food allergy is diagnosed by an allergist's history, specific IgE or a skin prick test; IgG tests are not recommended for diagnosis.

Since foods are mostly a mixture of more than one substance, it is not easy to tell which substance in the food causes the allergy. Help should be sought from specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of food allergy.

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