Food Allergies Facts
Food Allergies Facts
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Interesting Food Allergies Facts: |
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Some of the most common foods that people have allergies to include fruit, rice, wheat, soy, cow's milk, eggs, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, and fish. |
Some issues can increase a person's risk for food allergies, such as a family history of allergic reactions to food, obesity, being deficient in vitamin D, or being too clean (constantly cleaning one's hands and environment with chemical cleaners). |
The onset of symptoms to a food allergy can occur within minutes or several hours after exposure or ingesting the food. |
In order to properly diagnose a food allergy a person must be exposed to specific medical tests. These tests can include an oral food challenge, skin prick test, a medical history and in some cases a medically supervised elimination diet. |
It is estimated that in the United States and other countries in the developed world, between 4 and 8% of people have one or more food allergies. This equals approximately 12 million people. |
It is more common for male children to experience food allergies than female children. |
Food allergies are not always present in childhood and can develop later on in life. |
Additional allergic reactions that can occur include runny nose, shortness of breath and/or wheezing, stomach cramps, fainting, lightheadedness, trouble swallowing because of swelling of the tongue and/or throat, and rashes. |
If a food allergy affects the respiratory tract or a person's blood circulation a person can experience anaphylaxis, which requires immediate medical attention. |
People that are prone to experiencing anaphylactic shock from an allergy to food or other substance often carry an epi pen. This device contains adrenaline in a needle and when administered immediately can reverse the anaphylaxis by improving blood flow and increasing heart rate to improve circulation in the body. |
In non-life threatening cases an individual may take antihistamines to treat some of the symptoms of a food allergy. Antihistamines are not able to treat all the symptoms of anaphylaxis. |
The number of people with food allergies is increasing, and many believe that it is because of the fact that a lot of the food people eat is genetically modified. |
The number of deaths in the United States each year from anaphylaxis is roughly 150. |
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