Food Allergies May Be MOre Than a Nuisance

Restaurant workers no longer consider it unusual for a customer to ask if an entree is high in fat, if a product contains salt, or if the establishment has a no-smoking section.

Yet many people would consider it an overreaction to give the same attention to avoiding foods to which they’re allergic.

But food allergies, which are uncomfortable at best--causing nausea, facial swelling, hives and shortness of breath-- can at worst result in a potentially fatal condition called anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis, which can also strike people allergic to bee stings and certain medications, is an extreme form of allergic reaction. It can block off breathing passages, cause dizziness and confusion, and even lead to shock and the collapse of the cardiovascular system.

People with asthma or other respiratory problems are especially vulnerable to the effects of anaphylaxis.

Millions of people (an estimated 1% of adults and up to 8% of children) have food allergies and thus are potential anaphylaxis victims. Although anaphylactic attacks are uncommon, they do kill hundreds of Americans a year, including those allergic to bee stings and medicines as well as to food.

In children, eggs, peanuts, milk, soy and wheat cause most food allergies. In adults, shellfish, fish, nuts and peanuts cause the majority of allergic reactions.

If you know or suspect that you have an allergy to food, consult an allergist. Tests can be made to discover whether you are sensitive to certain foods, and safety precautions taken to help you live with the allergy. A registered dietitian should also be consulted to set up a satisfying eating plan that avoids foods to which you may be allergic.

One of the most important precautions a food-sensitive individual can take, besides knowing and avoiding foods that cause reactions, is to carry and know how to use the drug epinephrine. Your physician can advise you on how to self-administer epinephrine.

Children with food allergies require special precautions, particularly when they are away from home. Severe attacks of anaphylaxis in children can occur when the child unknowingly eats a food containing the allergen.

Whenever possible, parents should make sure that a child’s school is aware of his or her dietary restrictions, and that someone there knows how to deal with an allergy attack if one should occur.

Children with allergies should be taught as early as possible to read food labels for allergens.