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| Food Allergies And You |
Dr. Jyoti Ramakrishna
05/31/2006
“When I was young no-one had food or any allergies, what is wrong with this new generation?†grumbles many a grandparent.
Well, grandma is always right. There were definitely much fewer food and other allergies a generation or two ago. Nowadays, every other person seems to have problems, either with foods or environmental allergens.
So What has Changed?
The experts tell us that our environment is too clean. We do not have as many germs around us and inside us as humans used to even two generations ago. We keep things clean, and are phobic about dust. Children’s hands are wiped, and things that fall on the floor must be thrown away and not eaten. (Personally I vote for the 5 second rule: if something has been on the ground less than 5 seconds it is ok!)
Moreover, humans used to have many more species of bacteria in their intestines than they do now. Allergies are more common in societies where less gut bacteria are present. And our friendly parasites such as worms, have been banished for good. If ever one raises its ugly head, we shout ‘Eeeek!’ and head for the drugstore.
Yes, allergies of all sorts become commoner as our insides and outsides become free of germs and parasites. Remember when you were growing up, it was a joke when someone ate a lot we would say “So-and-so and her worms have come for dinner!†This generation may not even have heard this joke.
What are Some Common Allergies?
Allergies can be divided into two kinds – life-threatening, and non-life-threatening. Peanuts (and tree nuts such as walnuts, pecans etc) are the commonest cause of life-threatening allergies. Other allergies cause varying degrees of nuisance. Migraines headaches, stomach-aches and stomach upset are seen, in addition to the typical rash and swelling of lips etc that one traditionally thinks of as an allergic reaction.
Allergies are caused by proteins, and high protein foods in our diet such as milk, eggs and shellfish are frequent offenders. However a subset of people belong to families with a history of allergies, and these people can become allergic to almost anything including mustard seeds, fruits and vegetables. I have even seen people allergic to rice and bananas (much to my surprise!) Let me clarify here that many people from India and Asia have lactose intolerance and cannot tolerate milk products due to gas and bloating. Lactose is the sugar in milk, and lactose intolerance should not be referred to as a milk allergy. Another confusing thing is celiac disease, which is specific to the wheat protein gluten and is not a true allergy.
So How do I Know if I Have an Allergy?
With infants who develop an allergy to milk, fussiness, vomiting, and diarrhea sometimes with mucus and even blood flecks can be seen. Rashes and wheezing are less common at this age. As they grow there is a reason that parents are asked to introduce one food at a time and wait a few days before giving the next food. That way a reaction can be ascribed to the offending food right away.
However, people develop allergies as they grow older. Many times a person can tell – “Every time I eat such-and-such I get a headache/lip swelling etcâ€. Sometimes it may be necessary to keep a diet diary for a few weeks and then mark the days with symptoms and see if you can pick up a pattern related to the foods eaten.
Of course, if you suspect a food allergy you can seek an Allergist’s opinion. They can do skin and blood tests to determine what the causative agents are, and then help you eliminate those things.
What to do if Someone has Allergies?
Sounds easy – just avoid the allergens! But some ingredients are harder to avoid, things like milk, soy and egg get into many foods. In the US everything comes labeled, so with some training one can avoid certain things. A dietician may be helpful to get you started. Things prepared at home, or when visiting others’ homes, should have the ingredients screened. Some people are shy and eat things without asking, then suffer the consequences. The problem is so common now that there is no need to be shy, just ask the hostess quietly, and you can enjoy the party too!
A life-threatening allergy, when a person has a severe reaction that affects breathing, is a whole different problem. These people and their families have to be very careful. Do not keep any items with the offending agent in the house, so chances for mistakes are eliminated. The doctor needs to prescribe an epinephrine shot to keep available at all times (home, work, school), and people around should know how to administer it in case the person collapses. A MedAlert bracelet should be worn to alert people if the person is by themselves and has a problem. Eating out can be a challenge. Remember it is always better to be safe than sorry. There are many things other than food to enjoy in life.
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