Food allergies
Food allergies and food intolerances are often confused. A food allergy is experienced when the immune system instigates an attack upon a food type that it believes is a harmful particle. Food intolerance is a condition whereby an individual can't produce enough of the natural digestive enzymes to break down a particular type of food.
It is estimated that about 1 in 70 UK adults are affected by food allergies.
The initial symptoms of a food allergic reaction are often swelling and itching in the mouth, throat and tongue. Other symptoms can include:
- skin reactions
- dizziness
- vomiting and diarrhoea
- wheezing
The symptoms of a food allergy are usually experienced within an hour of eating the allergenic food. The most common foods that cause allergic reactions in adults are nuts (peanuts and tree nuts), exotic fruit, shell fish and fish.
A rise in the number of people suffering from food allergies has been noted in recent years. This can partly be explained by exposure to new food types, such as kiwi fruit, due to increased global trade and travel. Improvements in home hygiene may also partially explain the trend.
Suffering from food allergy can limit ones quality of life as individuals affected by food allergens have to check food labels to avoid a food allergic reaction. Healthcare professionals can conduct allergy tests to identify the cause of food allergy.
