More than 100 Million People are impacted by various types of allergies each year.  2-4% of adults and 4-8% of children have food allergies and intolerances, including 32 million who have a potentially life-threatening condition.

Every 3 Minutes a food allergy reaction sends someone to the emergency room. Each year, 30,000 people require emergency medical care for allergic reactions to foods.

What is a Food Allergy?

A food allergy is a reaction to the protein in a particular food.  When someone eats something that they are allergic to, the immune system thinks the food is harmful and produces antibodies for protection.  This triggers the release of a chemical called histamine.   The response may be mild (itchy mouth, a few hives) or severe (throat tightening, difficulty breathing). In some cases, it can be associated with a severe and life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis.

What is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is the body’s reaction and response to the allergen.  It includes a wide range of symptoms, from just a stuffy nose and sneezing to skin itching or hive production, throat tightness, mouth or tongue swelling, dizziness, fainting or even passing out, shock, and death.

Treatment for Food Allergies

There is no cure for food allergies.  While some food allergies can be outgrown, strict avoidance is the only 100% safe way to avoid an allergic reaction.

What are the most common food allergies?

While any food can cause an allergy in someone, 90% of all food allergies are related to milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, seafood, shellfish, soy, sesame and wheat.

What is a Food Intolerance?

A food intolerance is a digestive response to a food instead of an immune response.  A person’s digestive system is unable to break down the offending food.  The reaction is generally to the sugar in a food, like lactose in milk instead of the protein.  The reaction can mimic the same symptoms as a food allergy but will not cause an anaphylactic reaction like a food allergy can. A  food intolerance can still make someone very sick.

What is a Celiac Disease?

Celiac disease is a genetic auto-immune disease where the ingestion of gluten damages the villi in the small intestine.  Villi helps capture nutrients, so this damage creates a serious health problem.  Gluten is the protein found in wheat, rye, and barley.  Every time a Celiac eats gluten, the body attacks itself causing a variety of health issues.  It is estimated that 1 in 133 Americans has celiac disease.  However, it is estimated that up to 83% of Americans who have celiac disease are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed with other conditions.

The only treatment for Celiac Disease is a strict gluten-free diet.  This can be challenging.  Gluten hides in many food items, such as salad dressings, Asian sauces, Malt Vinegar, spice blends, and even licorice and candies.  It can also be difficult when dining in group settings.  Contamination of gluten, called cross-contact, into foods eaten by Celiacs, is harmful and over time can be deadly.  Strict protocols must be followed to ensure a gluten-free dining experience for anyone with Celiac Disease.

For more information go to https://www.foodallergy.org/