Food allergies happen when your body's immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless food protein as a threat. When you eat that food, your immune system overreacts, releasing chemicals that cause allergic symptoms.

Symptoms of Food Allergies

Food allergy symptoms can range from mild to severe and can affect various parts of the body. Reactions can occur within minutes to a few hours after eating the allergenic food. Common symptoms include:

• Skin: Hives (itchy, raised bumps), eczema (itchy, scaly rash), itching, swelling (especially of the lips, face, tongue, and throat)
• Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramping
• Respiratory: Runny nose, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, throat tightness, hoarseness
• Cardiovascular: Dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting (in severe reactions)

A severe, life-threatening allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. Symptoms of anaphylaxis can include difficulty breathing, a sudden drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and a rapid, weak pulse. Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical attention.

Diagnosis of Food Allergies

Diagnosing food allergies typically involves a combination of methods:

• Medical History: Your doctor will ask detailed questions about your symptoms, when they occur, what foods you suspect are involved, and your family history of allergies.
• Physical Examination: A general physical exam will be conducted.
• Skin Prick Testing: Small amounts of food extracts are placed on the skin, and the skin is pricked. A raised, itchy bump (wheal and flare) indicates a possible allergy.
• Blood Tests: Blood tests can measure the amount of allergen-specific IgE antibodies in your blood. High levels of these antibodies may indicate an allergy.
• Oral Food Challenge: This is the gold standard for diagnosing food allergies. Under strict medical supervision, you will gradually eat increasing amounts of the suspected food to see if a reaction occurs.

Treatment of Food Allergies

Currently, the primary treatment for food allergies is strict avoidance of the allergenic food. However, other strategies are crucial for managing the condition and preventing severe reactions:

• Epinephrine Auto-injector (EpiPen): Individuals at risk for anaphylaxis are prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector. Epinephrine is a life-saving medication that can reverse the symptoms of anaphylaxis. It's essential to carry it at all times and know how to use it.
• Antihistamines: These medications can help relieve mild to moderate symptoms like itching and hives.
• Corticosteroids: In some cases, oral corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation after an allergic reaction.
• Oral Immunotherapy (OIT): This is a treatment where tiny, gradually increasing amounts of the allergenic food are ingested under strict medical supervision. The goal is to desensitize the individual to the allergen, making them less likely to have a severe reaction. OIT is currently available for a limited number of food allergies and is typically done under the care of an allergist.
• Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT): Similar to OIT, SLIT involves placing a small amount of the allergen under the tongue. While more established for environmental allergies, it is also being investigated as a potential treatment for food allergies. This is likely what the initial blurb you provided is referring to. Research in this area is ongoing.
• Education and Management Plans: Working with an allergist to develop a detailed food allergy management plan is crucial. This plan should outline which foods to avoid, how to recognize symptoms, and how to treat a reaction, including when to use epinephrine.

It's important to note that while sublingual immunotherapy is being explored for food allergies and may offer a convenient option in the future, it is not yet as widely established as avoidance and epinephrine for managing food allergies. Always consult with a board-certified allergist for the most accurate and up-to-date information on food allergy diagnosis and treatment.