What causes food allergies?

Food allergies are caused by the immune system activating cells to release antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. Your body releases histamine and other chemicals, resulting in allergic symptoms that accompany inflammation. If the inflammation is on your skin, the most common reactions are a rash or hives. Inflammation in the airways can cause tightening of the throat and lungs, and can lead to severe breathing difficulties that require immediate medical care.

What are the risk factors for food allergies?

A number of factors increase your risk of developing food allergies. Not all people with risk factors will get food allergies. Risk factors for food allergies include:

  • Family history of asthma, hives, or hay fever
  • Personal history of allergies, including asthma
  • Young age (child)
INTRODUCTION

What are food allergies?

Food allergies are a disorder resulting in an immune system reaction after eating a certain food, producing symptoms such as skin rashes or digestive problems. Symptoms of food allergies are caused by the release of the body’s antibodies to protect itself from the food (allergen), which it mistakenly perceives as a danger or threat. In some cases, this response can be a severe or eve... Read more about food allergies introduction

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of food allergies?

Food allergies are caused when your body’s immune system produces an inflammatory reaction to the ingestion of food. This reaction commonly occurs after the second exposure to the food. Symptoms of food allergies occur between several minutes to a few hours after ingestion of the food. The nature of the symptoms and their intensity vary among individuals.... Read more about food allergies symptoms

TREATMENTS

How are food allergies treated?

There is no effective treatment that can prevent a food allergy except avoiding the offending food, if it is known. Fortunately, following commonsense avoidance practices can decrease the incidence of symptoms of food allergies. Ask what ingredients are in foods before you eat them, and carry appropriate medication in case you inadvertently consume an allergy-causing food. If you have a history of severe food allergies, or anaphylaxis, you should carry an epinephrine kit at all times, and administer epinephrine immediately as needed before seeking emergency care.... Read more about food allergies treatments

Medical Reviewer: All content has been reviewed by board-certified physicians under the direction of Rich Klasco, M.D., FACEP. Last Annual Review Date: May 2, 2011 Copyright: © Copyright 2011 Health Grades, Inc. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or reprinted without permission from Health Grades, Inc. Use of this information is governed by the HealthGrades User Agreement.

This Article is Filed Under: Allergies and the Immune System


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