Food allergies occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly begins attacking the consumed food or one of its ingredients. Although food allergies are rarer than other types of allergies, nearly 4 percent of adults have this type of allergy in the United States. These allergies can occur at any age, even from foods that have regularly been eaten, although young children and babies more often encounter this disorder.

If a food is consumed that the body is allergic to, this causes a battle within to begin. When the immune system attacks the substance, the smooth muscles begin to contract, blood vessel swell and areas of the skin becomes itchy, swollen and red. Symptoms can be mild to severe. Individuals with these types of allergic reaction may experience diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, cramping, headache, indigestion, runny nose, sneezing, hives or have an asthma attack. When the allergy is mild, it can be due to sensitivity to the food rather than an allergic reaction. The most common foods that cause this reaction in adults include peanuts, shellfish and nuts. Children are often allergic to milk, peanuts, wheat, soy, shellfish and nuts.

The risks of developing a food allergy increase when both parents have this condition, with a 75% chance of development. When only one parent has a food allergy, the risk drops to 30 to 40 percent chance. Individual who neither parent has allergies, the risks goes down dramatically to only 10 to 15 percent. To properly diagnosis and prevent a reaction, visiting a doctor of allergy & immunology in Indianapolis can help determine the exact food allergen and the proper treatment.

Doctors of allergy & immunology in Indianapolis can perform skin tests to determine the source that is causing the reaction. This is accomplished with the use of a tiny drop of the food extract placed on the skin, followed by slightly pricking the skin. If a bump appears with redness surrounding the bump, this shows that this is the allergen responsible for the reaction. Blood tests can also be done although they do cost more and results take up to two weeks. Skin test results are achieved within 15 to 20 minutes and are more cost efficient.

Once the allergy and immunology doctor determines the source of the allergen, they will advise the patient on all foods to avoid that contain this ingredient. This is the best form of treatment. Labels must be checked carefully on products as well as learning other names that the foods may have.