Causes of food allergies you need to know

Causes of food allergies

Basically, an allergic reaction can occur because the immune system thinks that substances in food are dangerous substances.

The immune system is responsible for protecting the body by producing antibodies that will identify and destroy germs such as bacteria or viruses that cause disease.

In people with allergies, an antibody known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) mistakenly targets certain proteins found in food as a threat. Then, IgE also moves to the cells to release several chemicals, one of which is histamine.

Histamine is what then causes most of the typical symptoms that occur when an allergic reaction to certain foods appears.

Histamine will make the blood vessels expand, causing the surrounding skin to become redder and swollen. Histamine also affects the nerves in the skin causing itching. In addition, histamine increases the amount of mucus produced in the lining of the nose, causing itching or burning sensations.

There are also other types of food allergies that are not through the intermediary Immunoglobulin E. In this type, allergies are caused by various cells in the immune system. The reaction lasts longer and will usually cause symptoms in the form of a reaction in the digestive tract such as vomiting, bloating, and diarrhea.

Find out what food ingredients contain allergens

Manufacturers have been asked to list common food allergens on packaging labels. That's why you sometimes come across information like "This product contains soybeans" to inform those who have a peanut allergy.

Common allergens found in food, especially nuts, milk, eggs, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soybeans, and wheat. Certain types of fish, crustaceans, and tree nuts should be listed where they exist.

Food manufacturers are also required to use the term "milk" in products containing casein to inform those who are allergic to milk protein.

According to the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration, the main allergens in food that make up more than 90 percent of the substances that a person has food allergy . To avoid exposure to food allergies, read labels carefully.

Materials or even packaging facilities can change. Don't assume familiar ingredients in food are free of allergens. You have to check it out to make sure.

When eating out, never eat food that you are not sure is free of allergens. Restaurant employees are usually willing to help you.

The problem arises when many people often do not understand how serious a food allergy problem is. Eating in social situations is very risky for this reason. Unless you know exactly what the person is making, how to make it, and what ingredients are used.

Allergens in food cause allergies

After knowing the causes of food allergies, another thing to do, of course, is to avoid foods that can trigger the reaction. Sometimes, there are some unexpected foods that can cause allergies. The following is a list of foods and the allergens contained in them.

Dairy products

Allergy to food containing dairy products is one of the most common allergies, especially in infants or young children. This is because animal milk contains a protein called casein. Casein that has entered the body is mistaken for a virus or bacteria, this is what later causes an allergic reaction.

So, if you have a lactose or milk protein allergy, you should also avoid consuming the following foods.

Some brands of tuna contain casein.
Some processed meats contain casein.
"Non dairy" products sometimes contain dairy ingredients.
Some over-the-counter medicines use milk sugar (lactose) as a filler.

Nuts

Peanut allergy is also a food allergy that many people experience. Not only mild reactions, peanut allergy can cause severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis. Some of the symptoms include narrowing of the airways, swelling in the throat that makes breathing difficult, blood pressure shock, and loss of consciousness.

Nuts are commonly found in jams, ice cream, cereals and breads. Nuts may also be in:

dressing salads, which may contain peanut oil,
cooking spices that often contain peanuts, and
candy with nougat.

Egg

Protein in eggs (albumin) is the most common cause of allergic reactions in children. It is believed that the whites are often the "mastermind", given their higher protein content than the yolk parts.

People who have egg allergies generally also have allergies to other poultry eggs such as duck eggs and quail eggs. It is for this reason that most doctors advise patients not to consume egg products at all.

Eggs or their protein, which are allergens can be found in many foods, including:

marshmallows ,
mayonnaise,
meringue,
frosting on cake ,
packaged or processed meat products, and
certain vaccines (ask your doctor's details).

Soy

Even though it has many benefits, the protein found in soybeans is considered a dangerous substance by the body of people who have allergies. Most soy allergies occur in infancy and will disappear as they grow. However, there are also adults who still have soy allergies.

Soybeans rarely cause severe reactions, often the effects that will appear are just a rash or itching around the mouth. However, if you have asthma or other allergies such as peanuts, you may experience more severe symptoms.

Like milk and nuts, soy is widespread in the food chain. Here are some foods to watch out for if you have a soy allergy.

Packaged baked goods.
Packaged sauces.
Meat substitute.
Edamame (whole peas), tofu, miso, tempeh.
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), textured vegetable protein (TVP), lecithin, monodiglyceride.

Meat

Apparently, meat can also be a food that causes allergic reactions. When the meat is cooked, the meat will release a lot of protein that can trigger allergies. Plus, mammalian meat also contains a natural antibody called galactose-alpha-1 which is also known as alpha-gal.

When alpha-gal interacts with carbohydrates in meat, it can cause symptoms such as itching all over the body, skin rash, or stomach upset.

Indeed, beef is a common form of meat allergy. However, this does not rule out that other meats can trigger allergies, especially in sensitive people. The body can cause an allergic reaction after eating chicken, duck, pork, or goat meat.

Seafood

Allergy to seafood or seafood is one of the most common allergies. In fact, it is estimated that there are about 1% of the entire population in the world who have this allergy.

Protein allergens that are contained in one seafood group are not always the same and can be different from others. This is why there is someone who is only allergic to fish, there is also someone who has an allergy to more than one type of seafood such as fish and shellfish.

Nightshade vegetables

Source: Medical News Today

Apparently, vegetables can also be a cause that triggers allergic reactions, especially vegetables that are included in the type of nightshade.

The nightshade vegetable is a member of the plant family called the Sloaneceae. Most nightshade vegetables cannot be consumed and some are even deadly if eaten, such as the belladonna plant. However, there are several types of nightshade that can be eaten, including potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers.

Unfortunately, nightshade vegetables can also cause allergic reactions in sensitive people. Nightshade vegetables contain a group of chemical components called alkaloids. Alkaloids are toxic components (if in high concentrations) which serve to protect plants from fungi and pests.

That's why there are some people who claim that they have an allergy to eggplant or potatoes, most likely this is due to the presence of these alkaloids. Symptoms that can arise include itching, skin rash, nausea and vomiting, and inflammation.

Fruit

Who would have thought that fruit could also be one of the foods that triggers an allergic reaction? In fact, there are some people who have allergies to this one food ingredient.

Fruit allergy is also known as oral allergy syndrome or pollen-food allergy syndrome. The reason is, there are several fruits that contain proteins that are similar to allergy-causing proteins. This protein is also found in pollen.

In addition, latex allergies can also cause you to experience an allergic reaction. For example, if a reaction occurs after eating a banana or avocado, it may be because of the protein in the fruit which is similar to the protein in latex.

Fortunately, an allergic reaction to fruit usually lasts only a few seconds or minutes. The protein in fruit can be broken down more quickly by saliva, so if this happens you generally don't need special treatment.

Wheat

Source: MDVIP.com

Indeed, wheat is often predicted as a better source of carbohydrates than foods that are included in simple carbohydrates. However, there are some people who experience allergic reactions after eating wheat.

Various kinds of protein contained in wheat such as albumin, globulin, gliadin, and gluten usually trigger allergic reactions. The protein that enters the body also causes the immune system to produce antibodies to attack it, causing symptoms such as itching or skin rash.

Most wheat allergies affect children and generally disappear with age.

Things to remember if you have food allergies

Given that there may be hidden allergens in food, you certainly need extra efforts to prevent food allergies. Fortunately, you can replace food ingredients that contain allergens with other foods.

For example, if you have an allergy to cow's milk but are not allergic to nuts, you can take alternatives with plant-based milk such as soy milk or almond milk. You can also replace the need for consumption by taking supplements that can supply these vitamins.

If you have a child with a food allergy, teach another adult who has child care responsibilities how to recognize signs of a reaction. They should also be taught how to deal with a food allergy emergency. Teachers, school nurses, and other adults caring for your child should receive written instructions, perhaps in the form of an emergency action plan.