Allergic reactions unpredictable and can be fatal. 11 things you should know
Celebrity chef Michael Chiarello, best known for his award-winning tenure on the Food Network, died while undergoing treatment for "an acute allergic reaction that led to anaphylactic shock."
While the cause of Chiarello’s allergic reaction has not been disclosed, allergies across the U.S. are not uncommon and the numbers are growing. The number of people, mostly children, having food allergies increased by 18 percent in the decade between 1997 and 2007, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Almost 1 in 3 U.S. adults and more than 1 in 4 U.S. children reported having a seasonal allergy, eczema, or food allergy in 2021, according to data from Centers for Disease Control's National Center for Health Statistics released in January 2023.
Almost 6% of U.S. adults and children have a food allergy, with Black, non-Hispanic adults, and children one of the most likely to report this type of allergy.
Here's what you should know about allergies.
What is a food allergy?
A food allergy is when your body overreacts to the proteins in specific foods and involves the immune system.
Food-allergic reactions are unpredictable and can be fatal.
Allergic reactions aren't limited to food. There can be allergic reactions to drugs, insects, latex, mold, pets and pollen.
How is a food allergy diagnosed? How do you know if you have a food allergy?
There's no perfect test to confirm or rule out a food allergy, according to the Mayo Clinic. Physicians consider several factors before making a diagnosis, including:
Your symptoms.
A family history of allergies.
A physical examination.
A skin test. A small amount of the suspected food is placed on the skin of your forearm or back to check for reactions.
A blood test.
Elimination diet.
Oral food challenge.
What are symptoms of food allergies?
Food allergy symptoms usually occur within two hours after eating, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Symptoms can occur when coming in contact with just a tiny amount of the food, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
Symptoms can range from mild to severe and could include:
Swelling of the lips or eyelids.
Itching mouth and throat, tongue swelling.
Hoarse voice, difficulty swallowing.
Cough, wheezing or shortness of breath.
Abdominal pain, vomiting , diarrhea.
Lightheadedness or loss of consciousness.
9 common food allergens
Nine foods are responsible for the majority of allergic reactions, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology:
Cow’s milk
Eggs
Fish
Peanuts
Sesame
Shellfish
Soy
Tree nuts
Wheat
The most common food allergens causing reactions in children are milk, egg, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish, according to the National Library of Medicine.
While allergies to milk, egg, wheat and soy are commonly outgrown in childhood, allergies to peanut, tree nuts, fish and shellfish often persist in adulthood.
Is there a cure for food allergies?
No. There is presently no cure for food allergy, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Healthcare providers manage patients’ food allergies by encouraging them to avoid foods that may cause an allergic reaction and by treating severe reactions when they happen.
What is anaphylaxis?
The most severe allergic reaction to a food is anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a rapidly progressive reaction that sends your body into shock, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It can be hard or impossible to breathe.
Without medical treatment, anaphylaxis can be life-threatening.
Anaphylaxis is a serious, life reaction to an allergen. Quick treatment using epinephrine is the medicine of choice to treat a severe reaction.
How is an allergic reaction treated?
The only way to avoid an allergic reaction is to avoid the foods that cause signs and symptoms. Despite best intentions, sometimes people come into contact with a food that causes a reaction. The Mayo Clinic suggested the following:
For a minor allergic reaction, prescribed antihistamines or those available without a prescription may help reduce symptoms, including itching or hives.
For a severe allergic reaction, you may need an emergency injection of epinephrine and a trip to the emergency room. Many people with allergies carry an epinephrine autoinjector (Adrenaclick or EpiPen).
If your doctor has prescribed an epinephrine autoinjector:
Be sure you know how to use it. Also, make sure the people closest to you know how to use it.
Carry it with you at all times.
Always be sure to replace epinephrine before its expiration date. or it may not work properly.
Florida Emergency Allergy Treatment Act
In 2014, then-Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed into law the Emergency Allergy Treatment Act.
The new law broadened the availability of epinephrine auto-injectors to more authorized entities, including camp counselors, scout leaders, school teachers, forest rangers, tour guides, and chaperones who successfully complete the training program.
"Authorized entities may also obtain a prescription for epinephrine auto-injectors, then stock and store it for later use by a certified individual on a person who the individual believes in good faith is experiencing a severe allergic reaction," the law said.
Immunity from civil liability is provided under the Good Samaritan Act.
Can epinephrine auto-injectors be used in Florida schools?
A 2013 Florida law, Chapter 2013-63 authorizes both public and private schools to maintain a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors in a secure location for use in an emergency by authorized students and trained school personnel, according to the Florida Department of Health.
By the numbers: Allergies in adults
According to a study by the CDC:
25.7% of adults have a seasonal allergy, 7.3% have eczema, and 6.2% have a food allergy.
White, Non-Hispanic adults are more likely to have a seasonal allergy (28.4%) compared to Black, non-Hispanic (24%); Hispanic (18.8%) and Asian, non-Hispanic (17.0%) adults.
The percentage of adults with eczema is higher among women (8.9%) compared to men (5.7%).
Black, Non-Hispanic adults are more likely to have a food allergy (8.5%) compared to Hispanic (4.4%); White, non-Hispanic (6.2%), and Asian, non-Hispanic (4.5%) adults.
By the numbers: Allergies in children
According to a study by the CDC:
18.9% of children have a seasonal allergy, 10.8% have eczema, and 5.8% have a food allergy.
Boys (20%) are more likely to have a seasonal allergy than girls (17.7%).
Children 6-11 years are most likely to have eczema (12.1%), followed by children 0-5 years (10.4%), and children 12-17 years (9.8%).
Black, non-Hispanic children are more likely to have a food allergy (7.6%) compared to Hispanic (5%) and White, non-Hispanic (5.3%) children.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Food allergies, symptoms, treatment, what to do anaphylaxis
