FOOD

ALLERGY
FOOD ALLERGY

 Food allergy is an abnormal response to a food triggered

by the body’s immune system.
 Allergic reactions to food can cause serious illness or even death

food intolerance
 An abnormal physiological response to eating
 Food intolerance is caused by the lack of our body’s ability to
digest certain substances.
 Some people may have a food intolerance that has a
psychological trigger.

Food allergy is different with food intolerance although both

can show similar symptoms.
 Food allergens are proteins within the food that enter our
bloodstream after the food is digested.
 Our immune system produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) – a type
of protein that works against a specific food – antibody
 Food allergen go to target organs such as skin, nose, etc and
cause allergic reactions.
 An allergic reaction to food can take place within few minutes
to an hour.
 FOOD ALLERGEN

• An allergen is any substance , most often eaten or inhaled, that

recognized by the immune system and cause an allergic reaction.

• Food allergens are typically naturally occurring proteins in foods or

derivatives of them cause abnormal immune responses.
EXAMPLES OF ALLERGIC CONDITIONS
AND SYMPTOMS

 Digestive Tract
 Diarrhea
 Constipation
 Nausea and Vomiting
 Abdominal bloating and distention
 Abdominal pain
 Indigestion (heartburn)
 Belching
 EXAMPLES OF ALLERGIC CONDITIONS AND
SYMPTOMS

 Nervous System
 Migraine
 Spots before the eyes
 Restlessness
 Hyperactivity
 Lack of concentration
 Tension-fatigue syndrome
 Irritability
 Dizziness

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 ANAPHYLAXIS
 Severe reaction of rapid onset, involving most organ
systems, which results in circulatory collapse and drop
in blood pressure
 In the most extreme cases the reaction progresses
to anaphylactic shock with cardiovascular collapse
 This can be fatal

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MOST COMMON FOOD ALLERGENS
COMMON FOOD ALLERGIES IN INFANTS, CHILDREN, AND ADULTS

In infants and children, the most common foods

that cause allergic reactions are

 Tree nuts such as walnuts

 Egg

 Milk  Soy (primarily in infants)

 Peanut  Wheat
In adults, the most common foods that
cause allergic reactions are

 Shellfish such as shrimp, crayfish,

lobster, and crab  Tree nuts

 Peanut  Fish such as salmon