Before we talk about food allergy, we need to know what allergy is?

Allergy is a condition or a reaction that occurs when your body's natural defensive mechanism overreact to invasion of a particular substance and the body seeing such invader as an harmful substance thereby sending out antibodies to defend against it.

Substances causing or triggering allergy are called allergens. When we talk about food allergy, food allergy is an unpleasant immune reaction after a certain food is eaten. The body sees such substance as harmful so the body releases antibodies to fight it off.

Such food substances are usually protein. The body releases chemicals such as histamine and immunoglobulin E.

The cause of food allergies is idiopathic. In most cases of food allergies, children are mostly affected compared to adults. It is seen that food allergies encountered by children are mostly resolved when they reach adulthood.

The consumption of even the smallest amount of the allergy causing food can trigger the symptoms. Many people do not know the difference between food intolerance and food allergy.

Food intolerance on the other hand does not involve the immune system. Food intolerance is an after reaction that occurs after an individual consumes or eats a particular food substance. Such reaction does not stem up from immune system reaction.

Symptoms of food allergy include; tingling, itching in the mouth, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, lightheadedness, constant cough, troubled breathing, nasal blockage, wheezing, eczema, swelling of the upper part of the body and other parts of the body.

Food allergy may come with a life threatening reaction known as Anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis comes with symptoms such as; tightening of the airways, swollen throat or the feeling of a lump along the throat, shock with severe drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, dizziness etc. If untreated it may lead to coma or even death.

Types of Food Allergy
- Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome: This affect those who consume certain fruits, vegetables, nuts and spices. The proteins found in certain pollens causing allergy are similar to some proteins in certain fruits, vegetables, nuts and spices.

These causes allergic reactions in some people. Examples of fruits, vegetables, nuts and spices include Apple, carrot, pear, almond, some herbs, tomatoes, cucumber, celery, black pepper, melons, bananas, watermelons etc.

- Exercise Induced Food Allergy: Some people have allergic reaction that has to do with after eating certain foods they begin to feel itchy and lightheaded soon after starting to exercise.

Food allergens include the following; eggs, fish, peanuts, milk, wheat, soy, tomatoes, pork, corn, citrus fruit, chocolate, shellfish, treenuts, legumes and strawberries.

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