Page 110 - South Mississippi Living - May, 2018

HEALTHY LIVING did you know... Food
Allergies
Can Be Deadly and Strike at Any Age
WHAT ARE FOOD ALLERGY SYMPTOMS?
According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common food allergy signs include:
• Tingling or itching in the mouth
• Swelling of the
lips, face, tongue and throat or other parts of the body
• Wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing
• Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
sDtory by Susan Ruddiman photo courtesy of Memorial Hospital at Gulfport
eveloping an allergy to certain types of food can strike at any age and any time. An allergic reaction to food can come on within a few minutes to two hours after eating the item, and the symptoms can vary from a mild discomfort to being life threatening.
When James Holland, M.D., an allergist and immunology physician associated with Memorial Hospital at Gulfport, sees a patient complaining of food allergies, he said it’s a complicated issue.
“There are food allergies and food intolerances. A food allergy occurs when the body detects the food as
being something that should
not be there,” he said.
The body’s immune system mistakenly identifies the food as harmful. In response, the immune system then triggers cells to release an antibody known as immunoglobulin
E to neutralize the allergy
causing food or food
substances, according to the
Mayo Clinic. So the next time the person eats the smallest amount of that food, the antibodies sense it and signal the immune system to release chemicals that, in turn, cause the allergy symptoms.
While bothersome, food intolerances are a less serious condition and don’t involve the immune system.
Food allergies can develop at any age, but the majority occurs during childhood. One of the most common allergies is peanuts, but other common food allergies that Holland sees are milk, wheat, soy, eggs and shellfish. These allergies can be diagnosed through skin tests and blood
work.
Once the food allergy is
pinpointed, there is no cure. “Food allergies can be difficult to work with. Avoidance
of the food can be difficult because a lot of times things are hidden,” Holland said.
For example, a person who is allergic to shell fish might get a reaction from eating french fries prepared in the
same cooking oil as fried shrimp. In some cases, Holland might prescribe the patient carry an EpiPen, an injection that can reduce severe allergic reactions.
Holland urged people who think they might have a food allergy to seek medical help because those kinds of allergies can get worse and be life threatening.
James Holland, M.D.
110 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • May 2018
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