You are what you eat is a common expression. You’re allergies are also the result of what you eat. Theoretically, the causal food factor can be any type of food. In reality, just a few foods will drive you to an allergist in Evansville IN or an allergist at Accredited Asthma Allergy & Food Intolerance Center to see what exactly the problem is.
What Causes Allergic Reactions?
At fault for your negative reaction is something referred to as an “allergen.” This substance is most frequently a protein found in what you eat or drink (as well as in other materials). Many people do not react to these allergens. Those that do, whose immune system responds, are said to have allergies.
The Big Seven
When it comes to food, seven substances are most often associated with or linked to allergies. If you talk to an allergist in Evansville IN or elsewhere in North America, they will provide you with a list that consists of the following:
- Eggs: Children often have egg allergies, but they tend to grow out of them (often by 3-years of age). This is fortunate since eggs appear in many delicious food items including baked goods such as pastries, bread, cakes, quiche and egg noodles.
- Seafood: Seafood allergies are a little less straightforward than those for other food. It is possible to be allergic to one type but not another. You may be able to eat fish but find yourself reacting negatively to shellfish. Some reactions can be so extreme that it is possible to just touch the surface or smell the offending item to produce a bad reaction.
- Milk: If you have an allergy to milk, the list of foods you have to avoid can be quite extensive. An allergist at Accredited Asthma Allergy & Food Intolerance Center in Evansville IN can provide you with foods you will need to avoid. These include dairy products as cheese, yogurt and ice cream as well as the less obvious. Be sure to read the labels to see if they contain milk in any form including powder, calcium, whey, curds or lactoglobulin.
- Tree Nuts: Tree nuts covers a wide variety of readily available kinds including almonds, Brazil nuts, pistachio nuts, cashews, hazelnuts (filberts), walnuts and pine nuts (pignolias)
- Peanuts (groundnuts): these are a serious form of allergies. As an allergist in Evansville IN will tell you, it is important to avoid anything containing peanuts. Even a trace amount can prove to be fatal.
- Soy or soya: This is a very versatile substance. Vegans and Vegetarians use it as a meat substitute. It is used in food, as food e.g. tofu, and to make such things as candles, soaps, crayons and craft materials.
- Wheat: Wheat is a common substance found under different names in a wide variety of foods – including ice cream, pasta, cereal, soups, gravy, bread and a variety of baked goods.
Allergies affect many individuals across North America. The most common ones are food allergies. By talking to allergist at Accredited Asthma Allergy & Food Intolerance Center, you can learn what foods are causing the reactions. This may result in a reduction of what you can eat, but it will also allow you to reduce if not remove your chances of an allergic reaction.
