On the Nature of Food Allergy

The human body encompasses a powerful biological defense network called the immune system that is composed of organs, cells, and glands to protect against, or make one immune to foreign invaders. All allergic diseases are the direct result of an overreaction of one’s immune system to normally harmless outside invaders, or antigens. When the immune system fails to work properly, it can make one very ill.

With this resource, learn how to be a first responder during an allergy attack and understand the sources of food allergies. Explore case examples that illustrate risks for allergic reactions, and identify the symptoms, possible causes, and reactions to allergies. Plus, review the big four allergic diseases, which are eczema, food allergy, asthma, and allergic rhinitis, also known as “hay fever.”

Key subjects listed include:
• allergy skin tests
• allergy genes
• oral allergy syndrome
• the humoral immune system—antigens and antibodies

Healthcare professionals will learn about the components of the immune system and how it reacts to antigens. For example, one component of the immune response called cell-mediated immunity processes antigens through a series of T-cells. These T-cells are present in the bone marrow and lymph nodes, or glands and once an antigen reaches a lymph gland, several types of T-cells come into play. Some kill the antigen, some suppress the antigen, and some actually help the antigen.

A section reviews anaphylaxis, which is an allergic reaction that can strike any organ, including the skin, gastrointestinal tract, and respiratory and cardiovascular systems. There are nearly forty signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis. Some allergy symptoms of the skin include flushing, itchiness, excess sweating, hives and swelling.

Information reveals that many allergy specialists consider fruit and vegetables to be the most common food allergy in older children and adults. Many patients with a pollen or latex allergy complain of an itchy lip, mouth, or tongue after eating raw fruits and vegetables, such as apples, pears, peaches, celery, carrots, melons, and various tree nuts.

Packed with helpful tips, strategies, charts and colorful pages, this text provides plenty of tidbits to manage one’s allergies.