Food Allergy Treatment Specialist Q&A

Although many risk factors for food allergies have been identified and are being studied, the cause of food allergies is still largely a mystery. Risk factors for food allergies include:

• Age — One factor in the development of food allergies is age; younger children are more at risk for developing food allergies than adults or the elderly.
• Genetics — People are more likely to develop food allergies if a close relative, such as a parent, also has food allergies.
• Gender — Women (4.2 percent) are more likely to have food allergies than men (2.9 percent), except for peanut allergies, which are slightly more common in men.

The science behind what causes food allergies, how they are treated, and the prospect for people living with them is not well understood. Currently, there are no known cures for food allergies, but there are ways to reduce sensitivities to foods, such as immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is an effective treatment for certain allergies and may also be efficacious for food allergies. Two practices to reduce symptoms for people living with food allergies include awareness (of the ingredients and foods) and reduction of stress, as stress hinders digestion and can induce physical adverse reactions when levels are too high, including the disruption of psychological processes.

Food allergies can be hard to live with, and it can be difficult to pinpoint which foods are causing a reaction, especially in people with varied diets. In some cases, people with food allergies can live fulfilling and symptom-free lives by avoiding foods that cause allergies, but that is easier said than done. It is important to see an allergy specialist for a food allergy when:

• Allergic symptoms last for more than three months, including runny or stuffy nose, cough or watery eyes
• Symptoms make it hard to work
• Allergic symptoms interfere with sleep
• Over-the-counter drugs do not provide enough relief
• Frequent sinusitis, headaches, or other symptoms occur
• Allergies cause loud snoring

It is important to note that people with other health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease, glaucoma, diabetes, liver disease, enlarged prostate, or kidney disease, may not be able to safely treat allergies with over-the-counter drugs as interaction may occur between medicines used to treat these conditions, or the side effects of allergy drugs may cause complications with any of these conditions.

When it comes to allergies of any type, including food allergies, there are a large number of mild or moderate symptoms, from excess mucus production to skin irritation to eye discomfort. However, in terms of severe allergic reactions, regardless of the type of allergy or cause, there are only a few symptoms, which include swelling (edema) and breathing difficulties (dyspnea). Both of these are common in anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction that causes the airways to swell and close up, leading to labored breathing. However, another sign of a severe food allergy is a large or widespread rash that covers the majority of the skin’s surface.
 
If you suspect you have a food allergy, come to Primary Care Center for professional diagnosis and treatment. Contact us today or book an appointment with our food allergy treatment specialist. We have convenient locations to serve you in Webster and Pasadena, TX. We serve patients from Webster TX, Pasadena TX, South Houston TX, Brookwood TX, Seabrook TX, Bacliff TX, and surrounding areas. We look forward to serving you!