Mallergies-About Food Allergies

Guest Post
by Christy Geisler
July 26, 2010

This article was posted by Christy Geisler of www.onlinephdprograms.com.

Difficulties of not Having Proper Testing for Food Allergies

How would it feel to be sitting at a table next to a loved one enjoying a nice dinner, when suddenly, the persons face starts to turn red and blotchy, as they clutch their chest in short gasping breaths? The first thought is that the person must be choking, or suffering a severe heart attack. Once he or she is taken to the emergency room, the doctor proceeds to tell them that they have just suffered from Anaphylactic Shock after eating a peanut. With a hospital bill over $4,000, a person would wonder how something like this could have been prevented.

Most food allergies begin in childhood and adolescence, and are carried into adulthood. There are several reasons why a person will suffer from allergies, the most common are the immune system and genetics. If a person suffers from allergies, they will most likely pass it down to their children.

Allergy sufferers who were aware of their allergies likely found out through visiting an Immunologist. An Immunologist can test a person by performing a skin prick test and then placing different allergy substances on to the pricked areas. If the pricked area reacts in a certain way, the person is found to be allergic to that substance. Patients who are found to be deathly allergic to a substance will have a reaction that will quickly spread. Cleaning the pricked area in a timely manner will keep the patient from becoming deathly ill.

The most common allergies a person is tested for are airborne allergies, such as pollen, molds, dust, pet dander, and feathers. People who are found to be deathly allergic to horses, and are bitten by a rattle snake or black widow, can not be treated with anti-venom. Anti-venom contains horse products. Today there is a new venom that can be used to treat snake or spider bites. This venom contains goat products and is being widely used for people with severe allergies to anti-venom.

However, the skin prick tests cannot be used for diagnosing food allergies. Approximately 12 million people in the United States suffer from food allergies. Over the years, Immunologists have made medical strides in finding the proper tests for food allergies, but such tests are still not comprehensive. Up until the early twentieth century, there were no blood or skin tests available for these types of allergies. Most people who suffered from food allergies had to find out through the process of trial and error. The most common food allergies are peanuts, fish, milk, egg, and wheat.

The most common tests for food allergies being given today are through a blood test called enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This blood test can test for peanut, soy bean protein, milk, egg, and wheat allergies only. ELSIA blood tests can be very expensive and are covered by most insurance carriers. However, if a person is not covered by insurance they could be paying hundreds of dollars in order to be tested. Most low income families without insurance will not even realize they have a food allergy until it is too late.

There are no tests that can be done to determine fish and other food allergies such as shellfish, strawberries, oranges, lemons, cinnamon, etc. These allergies are still found through trial and error.

People who are allergic to fish products, such as shell fish, shrimp, crab, and lobster may eat fish without realizing they are allergic and become victim to an allergic reaction. Without the proper testing for these types of allergies, a person is left to their own accord. People who suffer from a lot of different food allergies may feel like they are eating at their own risk.

People who are allergic to fish products, may experience itching and swelling of the lips. swollen face, eyes, and neck; and a slight tightness in their throat. Most reactions only last for a few hours and the person will eventually get better. However, people who have a severe allergic reaction to fish may end up in the hospital with anaphylactic shock. When a person suffers from anaphylactic shock, their skin, lungs, and blood vessels become compromised. The blood vessels expand, causing a drop in blood pressure. A person may experience difficulty in breathing, throat tightness, flushing, and rapid pulse. If the reaction is not treated promptly, the person could die.

There are no known allergy shots that can be given to people who suffer food allergies. The only advice given to food allergy sufferers is to stay away from foods that cause an allergic reaction. This is often not enough. People tend to be more careful and take allergies more seriously if they have been diagnosed. Without a proper diagnosis, allergy sufferers often take risks that can prove to be fatal. With over 150 people dying each year from food allergies due to anaphylactic shock, there needs to be more research in the area of diagnosing food allergies.

Christy Geisler is a content writer for www.onlinenursingprograms.net , you can learn about various nursing degree options to find an online nursing school that suits your needs.

Sources:
www.onlinephdprograms.com
www.onlinenursingprograms.net

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