26
CREATED AND PRESENTED BY
THE SUNDAY
JULY 26- AUGUST 1
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
ABOUT FOOD ALLERGIES
Summertime is the season for potlucks, picnics and barbecues, but for millions of Americans with
food allergies, a fun summer activity with friends can present real health challenges. Avoiding
foods that can cause severe allergic reactions takes care and awareness. ¶ Estimates vary, but true
food allergies affect about 4 percent of adults. Children with food allergies often have other allerThe most common
gic conditions, such as asthma. Children can outgrow some food allergies as they get older, but
food allergies are
protein-derived
such
many common allergies such as peanut or tree nut allergies can persist into adulthood.
An allergic reaction is an immune system reaction, according to Mary Joy DeGuzman-Walters, a
clinical dietitian in the food and nutrition department at Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center.
“When an allergen is consumed, the immune system takes a harmless protein-derived food or
“allergen” as a threat or intruder and attacks it,” DeGuzman-Walters said.
In response, the body produces high levels of antibodies called immunoglobulin E, or IgE.
Those in turn provoke the release of chemicals such as histamines that cause the physical
symptoms of an allergic reaction.
While a minor reaction might leave you itchy or nauseous, a severe reaction can lead to
anaphylaxis, during which multiple bodily systems experience allergic reactions. Untreated,
anaphylaxis can lead to anaphylactic shock, coma, or death within minutes.
WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE HAS
A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION
Difficulty breathing or swallowing is often the first sign of a reaction.
“When the person has a weak or hoarse voice, that means the
patient has difficulty breathing and swelling of the throat,”
DeGuzman-Walters said. “Their blood pressure is dropping —
­
that’s a severe anaphylactic reaction.”
2. An epinephrine autoinjector, or EpiPen, is a quick way
to reduce the risk of an allergic reaction. Epinephrine,
another name for adrenaline, can counteract anaphylaxis
by reducing swelling, relaxing the muscles in your airways,
muscles in the stomach, helping reverse the rapid decrease
of blood pressure, increasing heart rate, etc. A prescription is
needed to purchase an EpiPen.
A severe
allergic
reaction, or
anaphylaxis, can
happen within
minutes.
3. Keep the person calm.
If an EpiPen isn’t available, the next step is to keep the sufferer
calm, DeGuzman-Walters said. “Anxiety can really worsen the scenario,”
she said. “Lie them flat and elevate their legs using
something like a pillow.”
4. If the allergy sufferer stops breathing, administer CPR
until paramedics arrive, DeGuzman-Walters said.
Antihistamine pills should not be given by mouth if
the person is having trouble breathing. Antihistamine
pills won’t help in the case of a severe allergic reaction
or anaphylaxis. They take too long to work and are
helpful mostly in milder cases.
STAYING SAFE FROM UNKNOWN INGREDIENTS
Proper testing is needed to diagnose and differentiate between
a true food allergy and food
intolerance. But the only preventive treatment for a food allergy is
awareness and avoidance.
“You have to be really aware,
mindful and vigilant when you
read food labels and ingredients,”
DeGuzman-Walters said. “Look
for alternate names. If they say
casein, that’s milk protein. If they
say albumin, that’s egg.”
It’s important to educate others
around you. At work, let your colleagues know you have a potentially life-threatening food allergy
and about the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction. At a
restaurant, notify the staff.
“The best and safest way is to
call the restaurant and ask what
else they can offer people with
food allergies,” DeGuzman-Walters said. “Make sure you tell them
specifically what you’re allergic to.
It can be hard for you to identify
what comes in sauces, gravies,
processed foods on your own.”
A chef’s card — a prewritten,
polite note to the chef informing
him or her that certain foods may
cause a life-threatening reaction
— is one way to handle the risk at
a restaurant.
At community events like potlucks or picnics, it’s safest to bring
your own prepared dishes, plates
and utensils for yourself or your
family. Otherwise, there’s a risk of
cross-contamination.
“If there’s a small amount of
shrimp that’s cooked on the same
grill that chicken is cooked on, the
chicken is then contaminated and
can cause you an allergic reaction,
even when you don’t expect it,”
DeGuzman-Walters said.
as peanuts, tree nuts
(walnuts, pecans, etc.),
eggs, milk, soy, wheat,
fish and shellfish.
HOW DOES YOUR BODY REACT?
1. Call 911 immediately.
SOUTHERN HILLS HOSPITAL
& MEDICAL CENTER
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN A FOOD ALLERGY AND
FOOD INTOLERANCE?
It can be difficult to tell the difference,
since some of the symptoms can be similar. But
internally, the reaction is different.
Food intolerance does not involve immune or
IgE mechanisms. The body’s reaction is less severe
and is more delayed — anywhere from 30 minutes to
two days. “An example of food intolerance is lactose
intolerance,” DeGuzman-Walters said. “The lactose in
the milk is the problem, but you may still be able to
drink a small amount of milk or eat dairy without
having any reaction.”
An allergic reaction is relatively
immediate.
SYMPTOMS
Warning signs
Hives or itching
Swelling of the face or elsewhere
Difficulty breathing
Nasal congestion
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
Severe symptoms
or anaphylaxis
Constriction or tightening of airways,
difficulty breathing
Severe drop in blood pressure
Rapid pulse, dizziness
Loss of consciousness
Shock