Encyclopedia of Diets - A Guide to Health and Nutrition

Resources

BOOKS
Branen, A. Larry.Food Additives, 2nd edition. New York:
Marcel Dekker, 2002.
Clydesdale, Fergus M.Food Additives: Toxicology, Regula-
tion, and Properties. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1997.
Potter, Norman N., and Hotchkiss, Joseph H.Food Science,
5th edition. New York: Chapman & Hall, 1995.

M. Elizabeth Kunkel

Barbara H. D. Luccia

Food allergies
Definition
Food allergies are the body’s response to proteins
found in food. For more than 12 million Americans
alone, food allergy is a significant medical condition.
All food contains proteins that enter the body when
the food is eaten, or in some cases if it is touched.
Allergic reaction occurs when the body reacts to
these proteins as if they were harmful, and for individ-
uals with food allergy, the offending food is harmful.

Symptoms of food allergy vary and can range
from mildly annoying to dangerous and life threat-
ening. Symptoms of food allergy include:

tingling of the mouth

tingling or numbness in arms or legs

rash or hives

itching

abdominal cramps

vomiting

diarrhea
breathing difficulties

sudden drop in blood pressure (hypotension)

swelling of the tongue

swelling of the throat

loss of consciousness

death

The most serious symptom of food allergy is ana-
phylaxis. Anaphylaxis, also called anaphylactic shock,
is a sudden and potentially life threatening allergic
reaction in which the whole body reacts to an allergen.
During anaphylaxis the airway constricts making
breathing difficult. Vomiting and diarrhea may also
occur as the digestive tract constricts. The skin may
swell and become itchy with rash or hives especially in
the face. This swelling may block airways as well. The

heart may race and the heart beat may become irreg-

ular as blood vessels around the heart expand.

Anaphylaxis is caused when the body encounters a

substance it believes is toxic. This substance is an aller-

genandisalsocalledIgE.Whenthisoccurs,thebody

produces a substance called histamine. Histamine is a

protein that the body releases in reaction to a substance

in the blood that the body believes is toxic. Histamine

causes blood vessels to dilate or become larger and this

causes the symptoms of anaphylaxis. The treatment for

anaphylaxis is medication called antihistamine. The

most common antihistamine is diphenhydramine hydro-

chloride which is found over–the–counter drugs such as

Benadryl. If taken immediately, this antihistamine can

stop anaphylaxis before it becomes too serious.

In cases of severe allergy, an injection of a strong

antihistamine called epinephrine or adrenaline may be

needed. If allergy is suspected or if an individual has

had a previous allergic reaction, an injectable form of

epinephrine may be prescribed. An auto–injectable

form of epinephrine that looks similar to a large ball

point pen is kept on hand at all times. If a severe

Hives on the back of a young woman’s legs. The accompanying

inflammation develops as an allergic reaction which ranges in

size from small spots to patches measuring several inches

across.(ªCustom Medical Stock Photo, Inc. Reproduced by

permission.)

Food allergies