Peanuts, Wheat, and Milk Allergies

Do you suffer from food allergies? Do you know what to do in case of emergency or if you are subjected to a new food allergy? This article discusses the top three food allergies in America and provides helpful hints if you are allergic to peanuts, wheat or milk.

Peanut allergies are the most common in the America. The allergic reaction to peanuts can be felt through ones entire body. Peanut allergies can cause other food allergy's to react, causing a chain reaction in your body.

One of the most serious reactions to peanuts is called anaphylaxia, which, among other things, can cause your airway to swell and blood pressure to drop dangerously low. This is the reason people with known peanut allergies are encouraged to carry injectable epinephrine at all times and know how to treat anaphylactic shock.

With peanuts being one of the more serious food allergies, how do you know if you are at risk or not? If you have been exposed to peanuts or digested peanuts and you begin having an adverse reaction, you should seek medical attention immediately. Otherwise, there are test involved in the diagnosis of peanut allergies.

There are currently 2 ways to test for peanut allergies. One is a skin prick test and the other is blood testing. The skin prick test is when the skin is scratch and a small amount of the allergen protein is placed on the scratch. This will help determine if there is an allergy or not. A whelp or a hive will indicate if an allergy is present. There is also the blood test method which one of the most common is the RAST. In blood testing, a blood sample is drawn and tested for various allergies.

For more information on peanut allergies please visit: http://peanutallergy.com

Some people are extremely allergic to peanuts and can even have a reaction to peanut residue left on a counter-top. In order for a person to live normally some parameters must be dealt with. First, find peanut-free packaged foods in the supermarket. Read labels. As far as recreational activities you should try staying away from ballparks, bars, and circuses. These places are full of peanut residue.

Another very common food allergy is that of wheat. Wheat allergy symptoms are more common in children than adults but must be cared for just the same. A wheat allergic reaction can be triggered by pasta, bread, and most batter-fried dishes. Wheat allergies are most commonly associated with asthma, eczema, and anaphylaxis. Wheat is also a recognized symptom of exercise-dependent anaphylaxis, which is caused by physical exertion combined with an allergy. The exercise actually accentuates the allergic reaction and anaphylaxis will begin with the swelling of the throat and gasping for air.

If you are known to have an allergy to wheat it is best to shop at stores that provide wheat-free products. Whole Foods is an excellent source for this dietary need. They provide a gluten-free bakery of their own and distribute excellent wheat-free bread, pasta, and ready-to-top pizzas. For more information on Whole Food Products please visit http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com.

The last of the top three food allergies is milk. A milk allergy is categorized as any allergic reaction caused by a component of cow's milk. Dairy allergies may appear with a variety of symptoms including hives, eczema, chronic congestion, and diarrhea.

Foods that contain dairy products include; cheese, butter, yogurt, cream, kefir, sour cream and ice cream. Milk is also contained in many processed foods such as, chocolate, salad dressings, pastries, snack foods, and even artificially flavored items such as popcorn.

A work-around for a milk allergy is to look for milk substitutes. These are available in many supermarkets and health-food stores. Always check for the presence of dairy and traces of dairy.

Most food allergies are accommodated in today's society with substitutions and mostly education. If you eat a particular food and experience breathing problems or digestive problems you may have an allergy to the food substance you ate. Seek the attention of a physician for further testing.

Sources:

Peanutallergy.com

Wholefoodsmarket.com