Allergy Relief Resource and Guide

Food allergies can affect many lives. I have written about a variety of foods and ingredients that can cause allergies. An egg allergy is one of those in the top 4 that are usually mentioned, milk, fish, peanuts and eggs. Until January 2006 manufacturers were not required to identify what products contained eggs which made it very difficult for those with an egg allergy.

Food allergies are found in about one percent of the population in the United States. While this may seem like a small number, this statistic actually translates into millions of people who are dealing with this condition. Egg allergies can include reactions from a mild case of hives and a stomach ache, to severe symptoms that include difficulty breathing and a dangerous drop in blood pressure. These severe cases are known as anaphylaxis, and can be life-threatening in some situations. This is why it is so important to understand and identify any allergies that you might suffer from, and know exactly how to manage them.

Egg allergies are typically found in young children, and the lucky ones outgrow them by the time they are five years old. The most common cause of an egg allergy is the egg white. Some proteins found in egg yolks can also cause an allergic reaction in some folks as well. An egg allergy occurs when the immune system in a person’s body mistakenly identifies the protein in an egg as a harmful substance. The body then produces antibodies like histamines that will cause symptoms like wheezing, runny nose, hives and a stomach ache. These symptoms can affect the skin and a number of the bodies systems including the respiratory, digestive and cardiovascular systems.

Learning More About Your Egg Allergy

If you suspect that you have an egg allergy, you have probably experienced some of these symptoms shortly after eating an egg product. Your doctor can confirm your suspicions with a blood or skin test, although he may refer you to an allergist for testing and expert guidance in managing your allergy.

While the obvious solution to preventing an egg allergy is simply to avoid eating eggs, this can be much easier said than done since eggs are hidden in many of our food products. As mentioned in the beginning of this article manufacturers are required to identify when they use eggs as an ingredient but it isn’t that easy when you go out to restaurants.

I went to dinner with a friend who has an egg allergy and we chose a Chinese restaurant. In the middle of dinner she told me she was starting to get an itchy throat and that she probably had eaten something with eggs. I was really concerned because I know that anaphylaxis is a possible reaction to this type of allergy. Fortunately this wasn’t one of those times.

So the reality is you need to be aware of all the possible ways you can be exposed to eggs. If you have a child you may also have to be more careful since an egg allergy and immunizations can be a lethal mix. Many of the shots given to our children are exposed to eggs in the development process. It is up to you and your doctor to keep up on the latest ways to keep you safe.

Let’s face it, my sister has a hard life. She has been plagued by allergies much longer than I have. Not only does she have the normal airborne type of allergies but she also suffers from dairy allergies. This is a sad diagnosis for a cheese lover but she has found ways to adapt. She carries around cans of soy milk for her coffee just in case they don’t have it. She also does her best at using the substitutes provided by dairy allergy recipes that she has found.

The moment you find out you have dairy allergies, it is life changing. At least it is for those who love their dairy products. Can you imagine being told that you can’t ever have milk, cheese or any other dairy product ever again? Unless of course if you are willing to put up with the suffering. That suffering varies from person to person when it comes to dairy allergies. One person could get major migraines after they drink a glass of milk while another gets very bad intestinal reactions. Don’t despair though because you should be able to enjoy dairy by following a certain dairy allergy diet and having a prevention plan. This of course is determined by how severe your dairy allergies are.

Your Dairy Allergy Gameplan

First of all, you have to determine if you are, in fact, allergic to dairy products. The first thing you should do is schedule an appointment with an allergist. An allergist will test you to determine if you have dairy allergies. They will test you with small amounts of dairy products to see if you have a reaction.

If you do have a reaction, usually your skin will turn red and inflamed, that’s when your allergist will inform you of your specific allergy and should give you a dairy allergy diet and prevention plan.

The most common dairy allergy diet and prevention plan is to refrain from the dairy products that cause you the most discomfort. This is basically an elimination diet. This is different for each person with dairy allergies. For example, some people may have dairy allergies when it comes to milk but they may be fine when they eat ice cream. That would mean that there is something specific in the milk you’re drinking that might not be in the ice cream you’re eating that is causing you to have a dairy allergy reaction. Even further some people can tolerate skim milk better than regular whole milk.

Your allergist may also prescribe certain dairy allergy supplements. Vitamin stores carry such products for those with lactose intolerance. This may help in some cases, but again, it all depends on the severity of the dairy allergies.

The right attitude is the key to dealing with any food allergy. Dairy allergies are no different. As my sister has shown you learn to change your routine and your diet so that you can maintain the quality of life you want. With the help of a dietician and your allergist you can find ways to adapt and every once in while you might want to take the hit for that one little piece of cheese.

When I think of soy I don’t think that it is a common type of food ingredient. I typically associate it with Chinese food and soy sauce so I thought a soy allergy shouldn’t be that big a concern. Unfortunately for those that have a soy allergy it is contained in more foods than I thought.

When a person develops a food allergy like a soy allergy the immune system malfunctions and identifies a type of food as a potentially harmful substance to the body. The immune system responds by producing antibodies called immunoglobulin (IgE’s) that create histamines to help protect the body from these “harmful” substances. The result is symptoms like a runny nose, watery eyes, hives and itching, wheezing and gastrointestinal problems. Some people will have an intolerance to certain types of food instead of an actual food allergy. While this condition may include similar symptoms to a food allergy as far as a stomach upset and pain, the immune system is not involved. Food allergies can be a reaction to nearly any type of food, but the most common triggers are milk, eggs, fish, and legumes which can include soy products.

So Where is Soy Found?

Soy can be used as an ingredient in many foods that you would never consider. Some of these are:

• Ice Cream
• Tofu
• Vegetable Broth
• Vegetable Protein
• Salad Dressings
• Vegetable Oil
• Mayonnaise
• Margarine…

Since soybeans are a legume, if you suffer from a soy allergy, you may also have a reaction to related foods like beans, peas and peanuts as well. The symptoms of soy allergies can run the spectrum. Some reactions to these products will be mild and include itching, wheezing or diarrhea. There are many other symptoms that can appear as well, and some can become quite severe.

Can a Soy Allergy be Prevented?

While food allergies affect a small percentage of the population, the number can still translate into millions of people in this country who suffer from some type of food allergies. Statistics show that the percentage of the population who is diagnosed with a soy allergy is at about .5%. Often this type of allergy is found in children, and many times it is not detected until the second or third exposure to the food.

There are some ways to cut down on the chances of developing a soy allergy. Doctors recommend that mothers nurse their babies for at least the first six months of life. It is also a good idea to wait until your child is at least six months old before offering any solid foods. This will not only reduce the risk of an infant soy allergy, but may cut down on the incidence of other food allergies throughout life as well.

A soy allergy is a potentially dangerous condition and should be definitively diagnosed by your doctor and allergist. You should also see a dietician whenever a food allergy is involved. They can help you not only avoid the food involved but also lead you toward choices that can replace some of those cravings a soy allergy can deprive you of.

Sophie-Safe Cooking: A Collection of Family Friendly Recipes that are Free of Milk, Eggs, Wheat, Soy, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Fish and Shellfish

Many people can go into anaphylactic shock as a reaction to their nut allergies. If you suspect that you or a loved one are allergic to nuts it is very important to know the signs of anaphylaxis and to understand where the threat can come from. Nuts are used in many ways in today’s cooking. They are also hidden in common foods that you may not be aware of.

Contamination of food can happen in the production of foods that though they don’t have nuts in their recipe can have trace amounts due to the equipment used in the production of the food. Many people think they can manage their nut allergies by just avoiding the nuts but in order to really be safe you need to ask questions and be savvy about what foods may or may not contain nuts. Keep in mind that a nut allergy is not just peanut related. You may be allergic to nuts like walnuts or cashews. Tree nuts are sometimes used in shampoos and lotions so it is important to carefully check the labels of all products you use if you suffer from nut allergies.

Here is a short list of some foods you may not have thought of as possibly having some form of nuts:

• grain bread
• certain ice cream flavors
• cookies
• candy
• granola bars
• salad dressing
• marzipan

Many multicultural dishes may have nuts in them. Some possible dishes are oriental foods such as Chinese, Thai and African dishes. products.

It is unknown why some people have nut allergies and why some suffer more severely than others do. Some of the lucky ones can outgrow their allergies. Peanut allergies in infants can actually change over time.

Anaphylactic Shock: The Body’s Response

Anaphylaxis is the body’s allergic response to nuts. Nut allergies can cause swelling, reduced blood pressure and dilated veins and arteries. Typically, a person will go into anaphylactic shock, which if not treated quickly, can cause coma and can sometimes be fatal.

Nut allergies are also very sneaky in that the first episode or reaction to an allergy may just be uncomfortable, while subsequent episodes could be fatal. Immunoglobulin E, is created by the immune system to fight a usually harmless substance, in this case nuts and when it appears the first time, your body may produce antibodies, but will not react. However, if a person with nut allergies is exposed again the antibodies will produce large amounts of histamines causing the symptoms to appear.

Typically, anaphylaxis begins within minutes of exposure by someone with nut allergies with itching in the eyes and face and quickly advance to difficulty breathing and swallowing. It may also be accompanied by stomach cramps, nausea and diarrhea. Angioedema, swelling under the skin can also be present. When the symptoms first appear it is imperative that you seek medical help immediately as it can quickly cause an increase in your heart rate, rapid drop in blood pressure, shock and possibly death if left untreated.

As you can see nut allergies are not something you can take lightly. It is very important to be aware of the severe reaction that can be caused by nuts. It is especially important if you have children or are responsible for the care of children. Typically child care providers should be trained in first aid which includes diagnosing possible anaphylaxis. Though treatments like epinephrine pens and pills can help it is usually the best bet to seek emergency care immediately since nut allergies can be fatal.

Food allergies are often confused with a food intolerance. True food allergies affect a very small percentage of the population. Adults that fall into this category are estimated at two to three percent. Children are estimated at six to eight percent. The typical example of a food intolerance is lactose. Those with this intolerance find it hard to drink milk or eat dairy products without getting an upset stomach. Intolerance to a specific food is not considered an allergy until or unless the immune system is affected. A true allergy consists of the immune system malfunctioning. It reacts to a particular allergen as though it were a harmful substance. In this case the trigger would be the specific type of food.

Foods That Can Cause Food Allergies

Here is the typical list of offenders but keep in mind that almost any food can cause an allergic reaction.

• eggs

• soy

• milk

• wheat

• nuts

• fish

My sister has an allergy to eggs. She falls into the typical category of an allergy prone person. She has had severe eczema at times and even in her 40s still has asthma. Asthma and eczema usually indicate that you will be allergic to one or many things and that you might be more likely to experience food allergies. Food allergies can encompass a whole range of foods once identified. Think about the fact that eggs are used as an ingredient in so many foods. You always have to be conscious of the ingredient list even when you go to restaurants.

Symptoms of a Food Allergy

• itching

• hives

• swelling of the mouth (possibly including lips)

• cramps

• nausea

• diarrhea

• watery eyes

• runny nose

• dizziness

• difficulty breathing

• accelerated heartbeat

The symptoms of a food allergy can range from mild to severe. Seek medical attention immediately because the sooner you get there the more they can relieve your discomfort. Even if you have a mild reaction if it does not go away you should seek medical advice. Your primary care physician will more than likely refer you to an allergist to confirm that you have a food allergy and not just a food intolerance.

How to Treat Food Allergies

Once your allergist has diagnosed your food allergy the simplest treatment is to avoid the foods all together. Please keep in mind that mild allergies can be treated by over the counter antihistamines. If your food allergies cause a more severe reaction do not waste time. These reactions can be life threatening and will need professional emergency medical care. Whether you suffer from food allergies or food intolerance knowledge is power. Be vigilant when choosing what to eat.

Dog food allergies have jumped to the forefront of the news recently due to the Menu food’s dog food recalls. What you feed your pet unfortunately can be the difference between life and death. Food allergies are typically associated with people but pets can suffer from adverse reactions and intolerance too.

As with young children that can not speak dog food allergies can be difficult to diagnose in pets because the biggest problem is the pet’s inability to communicate their symptoms effectively. The owner can also be confused by possible other ailments that their pet has. You want to be sure to know the difference between these symptoms and poisoning!

What are the typical symptoms associated with dog food & allergies?

• ear infections
• excessive scratching
• hair loss
• skin infections

Antibiotics sometimes are used to treat skin infections. It helps to clear them up , but they will reoccur when the antibiotics are stopped. Itchy skin is typically associated with airborne allergies, if an animal with itchy skin does not seem to improve with the use of antihistamines or steroids, they may be suffering from dog food allergies. A food intolerance causes different symptoms. These symptoms may include diarrhea or frequent bowel movements and vomiting. Fortunately, whether the animal is suffering from an allergy or an intolerance, once the proper diagnosis has been made, they can both be treated.

Nutrition is very important, since most canine meals are made from beef, chicken, wheat, eggs, soy and dairy products, it should be no surprise that most dog food allergies are caused by one of these ingredients. The pet nutrition industry has picked up on the need to provide pet owners different options. They have come up with hypoallergenic dog meals that are supposed to help with most allergies. They also have tried other dog food allergy recipes like lamb and rice formulations. Veterinarians usually tell you it is not that simple though.

What approach will your veterinarian recommend to verify dog food allergies?

First they will rule out other possible causes, such as flea bite allergies, intestinal parasites, yeast or bacterial infections. Something else to keep in mind is that they have access to the latest studies. One study that I’ve heard of has found an association to a certain breed of dog. Dietary change is the number one approach veterinarians recommend. They will recommend a new food source containing protein and carbohydrate that should be the only diet of the pet for at least 12 weeks. This will help to determine which of the ingredients in their old pet food was causing the allergic reaction. Dog food allergies can be tricky and you may need to try this a few times as you reintroduce your old foods to see which one your dog is allergic to. The foods that produce reactions need to be eliminated.

The last options is one this is tried and true. Making your pet their food at home seems to be the surest way to avoid dog food allergies. If you don’t have any you can always look up some dog food allergy recipes online. Don’t let the media scare you but be smart about what you feed your pet. If you have the time and talent cook if you don’t test. There is a path to safe eating for your dog.