Food Allergy Week May 14-20 2017

Antihistamine, I am sure you all have heard about, is used to counteract the bodies reaction to allergens as the body releases Histamine via the immune system to react to the allergen. It does not prevent Anaphylaxis occurring. The difference is that allergies can be life threatening but food intolerance symptoms are generally less serious an often limited to digestive problems. The body will react differently and some such mild reactions are hives or welts, swelling of the lips, eyes or face,tingling of the mouth, abdominal pain, vomiting or wheeze and severe reactions are, difficult or noisy breathing, swelling of the tongue, welling or tightness in the throat, difficulty talking and or hoarse voice,wheezing or persistent cough, dizziness or collapse, pale and floppy for young children abdominal pain and vomiting if the reaction is from an insect.
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Anaphylaxis is the most severe life threatening form of allergic reaction which compromised the airways. Some people can have a severe allergic reaction which is horrible and horrendous, but not be life threatening. With Anaphylaxis symptoms can appear in just a few minutes after exposure but it can possibly also take up to two hours to develop. It affects multiple systems of the body such as the respiratory, cardiovascular, skin and gastrointestinal but these latter two are not in every case. Medical confirmation is always required for Anaphylaxis and should be accompanied with an ASCIA Action Plan filled out by there GP and updated reasonably regularly, it is suggested every 12 months -16 Months. 

Peanuts are one of the highest risk allergens at this time in Australia and is the most common cause of deaths from foods. Food induced anaphylaxis rarely occurs unless the food is ingested, but still can happen. It is increasing especially in children and the rates have doubled over the last 10 years & is now at approximately 1 in 30 children & 1 in 200 Adults. Even micro amounts of peanut can cause a reaction in extremely sensitive people but not all with a peanut allergy will experience a sever reaction. 

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