Food Allergies Background

A food allergy is a type of medical condition, in which an individual suffers from a negative bodily reaction to a certain type of food. Following the consumption of the food allergen, an individual will experience a number of different food allergy symptoms. There are a number of common food allergies that are currently affecting millions of people throughout the world.

Food Allergy Symptoms

There are a number of different food allergy symptoms that may occur when an individual consumes a food that his/her body is unable to tolerate. Symptoms of allergies will vary depending upon how severe an individual's allergies are. For example, an individual may experience minor abdominal discomfort, or he/she may suffer from anaphylaxis. If left untreated, food allergies may cause serious health complications, including death.

Wheat Allergy

A wheat allergy occurs when an individual experiences a negative reaction to a constituent of wheat. There are many different components of wheat that are allergenic. When people with wheat allergies consume wheat, they may experience an array of different symptoms, ranging from itchy skin, to throat constriction, which inhibits an individual's ability to breath. An individual who is suffering from a wheat allergy must adopt a wheat free diet.

Food Allergy Testing

Food allergy testing plays an important role in allowing medical professionals to determine what type of food allergen is causing a patient to suffer from an allergic reaction. There are a number of different types of food allergy tests that an individual may acquire. Some of these tests will observe an individual's physical, external reaction, while others will examine an individual's blood. A food allergy test can help an individual to avoid the offending food.

Milk Allergy

When an individual is suffering from milk allergies, he/she experiences an array of unpleasant symptoms, resulting from his/her bodies inability to successfully process milk proteins. The symptoms associated with this condition vary a great deal, depending upon how severe an individual's allergy is. There is no cure for an individual who is suffering from a dairy allergy, however, maintain a strict diet will help an individual to avoid dairy allergy symptoms.

Milk Protein Allergy

A milk allergy may be cause by any of the constituents of cow's milk. A milk protein allergy refers specifically to an allergic reaction the results from the ingestion of the protein that is present within milk. There are a number of different milk allergy symptoms associated with this condition. These symptoms generally develop in infants and usually cease while before an infant completes his/her first year. They can range from mild to severe symptoms.

Peanut Allergy

A peanut allergy may be extremely severe, or it may be relatively minor. For those individuals who are suffering from acute peanut allergies, even skin contact with peanut oils can cause severe allergic reactions. Peanut allergy symptoms are often very dangerous and may be fatal if not immediately treated. Though new treatment options are being tested, strict and cautious diets are currently the only treatment methods available to individual with peanut allergies.

Soy Allergy

A soy allergy is a relatively common food allergy, that usually develops in infants who are exposed to soy containing baby formula. While most infants will outgrow this condition, some will retain the allergy into adulthood. Like all types of food allergies, soy allergy symptoms will range in severity. These symptoms may include minor effects, such as skin rashes, or life threatening conditions, such as airway constriction.

Shellfish Allergy

When an individual is suffering from a shellfish allergy, he/she is not able to consume shellfish, as the proteins present within these marine creatures cause him/her to suffer from harmful allergic reactions. Depending upon the severity of the allergy, an individual may not even be able to come into contact with shellfish without experiencing the onset of shellfish allergy symptoms.

Alcohol Allergy

An alcohol allergy occurs when an individual's immune system reacts to possible allergens within an alcoholic beverage. Generally, it is not actually the alcohol that an individual is experiencing a reaction to, but additional ingredients that are included within certain types of alcohol. Alcohol allergy symptoms are usually relatively minor, involving skin rashes and hive. However, it is possible for an individual to have a severe reaction to alcohol.

Egg Allergy

An egg allergy can often be difficult to handle, due to the widespread use of eggs. Eggs are not only enjoyed as an independent food, they are also used as an important ingredient in many different kinds of food products. Depending upon the severity of an egg allergy, an individual may experience egg allergy symptoms following the consumption of any food product that contains eggs, or only after ingesting eggs independently.

Yeast Allergy

When an individual is suffering from a yeast allergy, he/she is not able to ingest food products or beverages that contain yeast. Consuming yeast will cause an individual to suffer from a variety of unpleasant symptoms, ranging in severity from a food allergy rash, to wheezing and difficulty breathing.

Corn Allergy

An individual who has been diagnosed with a corn allergy or a potato allergy is suffering from a fairly uncommon condition. These types of food allergies are relatively uncommon. Like all food allergies, they cause an array of unpleasant symptoms. Both a corn allergy and a potato allergy can be difficult to manage, as many different food products contain substances that are derived from these allergens.

Caffeine Allergy

A caffeine allergy occurs when an individual's immune system reacts to caffeine by producing a variety of defensive chemicals. An individual may experience an array of different symptoms, ranging from itchy skin to constricted airways. It is essential to understand that a caffeine allergy and a coffee allergy are not identical, as an individual with a caffeine allergy can not consume any food product containing caffeine.

Sun Allergy

Environmental allergies can cause an individual to become groggy, irritable, and uncomfortable. They often disrupt an individual's daily routine. However, seasonal allergies seem relatively minor when compared to other environmental allergies, such as a sun allergy. When an individual is suffering from a sun allergy, exposure to ultraviolet radiation will cause an individual to suffer from a range of symptoms, including skin conditions.

Banana Allergy

A banana allergy is a relatively rare type of food allergy, especially in comparison to wheat and soy allergies. An individual who is suffering from a banana allergy may experience a negative reaction due to the consumption of a number of different potential allergens within bananas. Most commonly, the offending allergen is a protein known as chitinase, however, an individual may also be allergic to potassium or Vitamin K.

Chocolate Allergy

When an individual is suffering from a chocolate allergy, the consumption of chocolate may cause a number of undesired symptoms, such as a food allergy rash. However, it is important to note that people with this condition are rarely experiencing a reaction to the cacao bean, the primary ingredient of chocolate. Instead, they are likely reacting to a different ingredient found within chocolate products.

Nut Allergies

Nut allergies are the most fatal type of food allergy, affecting millions of individuals throughout the world. Though peanut allergies are the most well known of the nut allergies, tree nut allergies are also very common. Nut allergy symptoms are frequently extremely severe, causing anaphylaxis. An individual who is suffering from an allergy to tree nuts may experience a reaction from close proximity to these nuts.

Casein Allergy

Most food allergies are caused by certain components present within the offending food, usually proteins. Casein is one type of protein, present within milk, that causes negative bodily reaction in individuals who are suffering from a casein allergy. Symptoms may range from an allergy rash to digestive complications. This protein is used in many different food products and technical products.