Food allergies, as opposed to food intolerance or sensitivity, are a reaction of the body’s immune system. They occur when the body has difficulty digesting a specific food or food chemical.
Some allergy patients may experience an “atopic march,” which is the general progression of various allergic conditions that begin in childhood. Some patients may eventually develop food allergies, allergic rhinitis (including seasonal allergies), and asthma.
Oral Allergies
Some food allergies, such as milk and eggs, are more likely to be outgrown in late childhood than others.
However, oral allergy syndrome is one example of how new allergies can develop during adolescence and adulthood. The protein structure of some fruits and vegetables can be similar to the protein structure of pollen, resulting in cross-reactivity.
For instance, if someone is allergic to birch tree pollen and eats an apple, their body will mistake it for pollen due to protein similarities. However, when the food reaches the stomach, it’s in a warmer environment, and the protein can break down. The allergic reaction usually subsides and does not extend beyond the mouth.
Allergies can also develop due to genetics or exposure to new environmental factors.
How to Manage Adult-Onset Food Allergies
There is no way to predict whether or not a person will develop a particular allergy later in life. People with pre-existing allergic conditions, such as eczema or asthma, are more likely to develop allergies as adults. However, we won’t know what those allergies are until one is exposed to them.
Here is a three-pronged approach for those concerned about their allergy symptoms and looking for ways to manage food allergies.
Determine the Allergy
Record any exposures and the moment when the symptoms appear. Do the symptoms primarily appear in the spring? Do the allergies go away when they’re not around their pets?
An allergy test is advised. One could scratch their skin with allergen traces and see if their body is physically sensitized to them. Once they’ve discovered their allergies, they can devise a plan to control their environment and reduce their exposure to allergens.
Optimize Medications
Use steroid nose sprays and antihistamine nose sprays to help control inflammation in the nose and reduce congestion. allergy medication can be used to relieve symptoms and eye drops to relieve dry, itchy eyes.
Sign up For Allergy Shots
A physician can create allergen injections to teach the body how to tolerate exposures gradually. Using the person’s allergy test results, they will dilute the allergen extract in a vial before injecting the most diluted vial into the body.
It takes three to five years for the body to become accustomed to the allergen. It is, however, a viable option for people suffering from chronic allergic rhinitis.
