Food allergies are immune system reactions that occur immediately after eating certain foods. Even small amounts of foods that cause allergies can cause signs and symptoms such as digestive problems, hives, and swelling of the airways.
According to Dr. Deepti Khatuja, food allergies are mostly developed during childhood but they can develop at any age of life. Food allergies that develop during adulthood, are likely to be lifelong allergies.
We have come to a point where we often confuse ourselves between food allergies and food intolerance. In this blog, we will be discussing the difference between food allergies and food intolerance quickly. A food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to harmless food. Food intolerance occurs when the body has a chemical reaction to eating a particular food or drink. A true food allergy causes a reaction in the immune system that affects many organs in the body. It can cause a variety of symptoms. In some cases, allergic food reactions can be serious or life-threatening. In contrast, symptoms of food intolerance are generally less severe and are often limited to digestive problems.
What are the common food allergies?
Peanuts
Shellfish (shrimps/crabs/lobsters)
Chicken
Onions
Wheat
Eggs
Soy
Can we outgrow food allergies?
You can overcome allergies. Some experts believe that resistance to allergens can develop when a person is exposed to very low levels of allergens over time. This is similar to how a vaccine works to immunize a particular bacterium or virus, or how an allergic shot works to reduce a person's allergic reaction to a particular allergen. A lot of people often outgrow food allergies, but it also depends on what they are allergic to. While eggs, cow’s milk, wheat, and soy allergies can be outgrown, allergy to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish tends to persist.
Studies have shown evidence that between 60 and 80 percent of young children will outgrow a milk or egg allergy by age 16, that 20 percent of children will outgrow a peanut allergy, and that 4 to 5 percent will outgrow a fish or shellfish allergy.
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