Food Allergies - Know the Facts

Some of the most common food allergies can be hidden in your favorite foods and beverages. Food allergies occur when the immune system mounts an attack on certain food proteins. The substance in a specific food that causes this reaction in the immune system is called an allergen. The immune system is a complicated network of cells that helps to protect your body from any foreign substance. When it is functioning properly, it will detect these foreign substances and release a protein called immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies.

The antibodies attack the substance, which in turn, causes the allergic reaction. The immune system will assume that a seemingly harmless food is a threat to the body's health and will trigger the release of IgE. The next time you eat even the smallest amount of that food, the IgE antibodies will signal your immune system to release a chemical called histamine as well as other chemicals into your bloodstream.

These chemicals cause several allergic symptoms such as a dripping nose, itchy eyes, dry throat, rashes and hives, nausea, diarrhea, labored breathing, and even anaphylactic shock. Most food allergies are triggered by certain proteins found in shellfish such as shrimp, lobster and crab. Other foods that many people are highly allergic to are peanuts, tree nuts such as walnuts and pecans as well as fish and eggs.

In children, food allergies are also commonly triggered by proteins in eggs, milk, peanuts, and tree nuts. Many parents have also thought that chocolate causes food allergies, but in fact, it has been proven that it is actually very rare to have a reaction from this food. If you or a family member are experiencing reactions to certain foods, it is recommended to visit an allergist in order to receive proper medical attention.

P.S. Orr has been writing articles for 6 years on a variety of topics of interest including health and product info. Find information about http://www.captainsbedsstore.com/ which helps people find the best deals on captains beds and more information about great storage bed ideas.
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