Food Allergy: 4 Most Common Trigger Food Ingredients
A food allergy is an allergic reaction that occurs after eating certain foods. Symptoms can include nausea and vomiting, swelling of the face, shortness of breath, and loss of consciousness.
A food allergy occurs when the immune system perceives a protein in food as a threat to the body. In response, the body releases chemicals that trigger an allergic reaction.
Food allergies usually occur since childhood, but sometimes also appear when a person is an adult. The foods that trigger allergies are different in adults and children.
In adults, allergic reactions can occur after eating the following foods:
- Fish
- Shell
- Shrimp
- Crab
- Nuts
While in children, common foods that cause allergies include:
- Peanut
- Wheat
- Soya bean
- Egg
- Cow’s milk
Some people with asthma also suffer from food allergies. Because they are interconnected. There is no clinical evidence that food allergies can cause asthma. However, when experiencing a food allergy, a person can experience symptoms that attack the respiratory tract, such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath, similar to signs of asthma.
An allergic reaction to food can occur so quickly that it can lead to life-threatening anaphylaxis.
Food Ingredients That Can Trigger Allergies
Foods, such as eggs, nuts, and certain fruits, can trigger allergic reactions in some people.
However, launching from Better Health, allergies can also be caused by some additives or chemicals in food.
Allergic reactions to these foodstuffs depend on the dose or how much of the chemical is in it. Allergy symptoms can become severe if a person ingests a lot of ingredients or chemicals from food.
Here are some food ingredients that can trigger allergies:
1. Sulfites
We often used sulfites as preservatives in processed foods. We often find sulfites in fruit juices, canned fish, and dried fruit.
A sulfite allergy can cause asthma-like symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.
2. Food Coloring
Tartrazine is a yellow food coloring. These foods coloring can cause allergies and trigger asthma symptoms in some people.
3. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
MSG is often used to add flavor to dishes. Foods that contain high amounts of MSG are fast food and packaged foods.
4. Salicylates
We can find salicylates in instant coffee, soy sauce, pasta, tomato sauce, beer, and honey.
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid derivative) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), about five to 10 percent of people with asthma are sensitive to salicylates. Exposure to salicylates can trigger allergies and cause asthma symptoms to recur.
Tips for Preventing Food Allergies
if people with asthma suffer from food allergies, avoid foods that contain the ingredients above.
Avoiding triggers is the same as controlling asthma so that it doesn’t recur. If you don’t know if you have a food allergy or not, it’s best if you do an allergy test to find out for sure.
Then, if you want to buy packaged or canned food, be sure to read the product label and the composition listed in the package. If there are food ingredients that can trigger allergies, avoid buying these products.
If you have an asthma attack after eating certain foods, take asthma medication immediately.
Consult a doctor to perform allergy testing to determine the cause of food allergies that trigger asthma.
Food Allergy Treatment
The best way to deal with a food allergy is to avoid the food that causes the allergy. However, a person may eat these foods accidentally. When this happens, there are several medications that can relieve symptoms.
If the symptoms that appear are mild, the patient can use an over-the-counter antihistamine. If it still felt the symptoms, the patient can go to the doctor to be given an antihistamine with a higher dose.
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