You might be surprised to learn that food allergies are actually one of the most common conditions in the world. In fact, it’s estimated that over 30 million Americans suffer from some form of food allergy. These allergies can be mild, moderate or severe and they can affect anyone at any age. The symptoms of a food allergy can range from mild to severe, depending on what is causing them. For example, if you happen to develop hives after eating a specific food then it’s likely that you’re allergic to that particular item. However, if your throat swells up after eating a certain type of food then this could be an indication that you have anaphylaxis which is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention!
Food allergies can be dangerous, so it’s important to know the signs and symptoms to look out for. When you’re first diagnosed with a food allergy, your doctor might tell you to avoid the food in question for life. That’s the general rule for adults and older kids. For babies, though, there are exceptions to this rule—and it’s important to keep track of which ones. For example, if your baby has a severe egg allergy (meaning he breaks out in hives or has trouble breathing after eating eggs), he’ll probably need an epinephrine pen at all times until he’s at least three years old. But if his reaction is milder and only happens once or twice every few weeks, it may be okay for him not have his own epinephrine pen until he reaches age five. You’ll also need to keep tabs on how much exposure your child has had with each allergen so that his blood tests remain accurate—which means no more than four accidental exposures per year should be allowed!
If you think you might have a food allergy, it’s best to consult a doctor. If there is an underlying health issue, it is important that the proper treatment be administered as soon as possible so that your body can begin healing itself from within.
