Food allergy is an exaggerated and inappropriate immune response that originates in the body after consumption of certain foods that most people tolerate without problems. Often this type of allergies are confused with other forms of allergic reactions to foods, known as food hypersensitivity. Although you can not deny the evidence of the number of people diagnosed with food allergies, researchers in this field say the problem of the high incidence and increased food allergies may be overstated. According to the World Allergy Organization, only a small percentage of adults ranges from 1% to 3% have a food allergy. Among children under four years the percentage increases to 6% -8%.
An investigation conducted by the University of Portsmouth (UK) reveals that the number of children with food allergy diagnosis clear or food hypersensitivity is considerably lower than their parents believe. The scientists conducted a study of all children born in the Isle of Wight (south coast of England) and compared the results of the incidence of allergy and food hypersensitivity with a similar study conducted 20 years ago. The conclusion was that in two decades, allergies had risen dramatically and the number of allergy was not as high as previously thought. According to their parents, 807 children were allergic or intolerant to any kind of food but after subjecting them to different clinical diagnosis, only 5% reported food allergy.
Another study, in this case German and directed by Axel Trautmann, Department of Dermatology, recruited 419 patients admitted to the clinic for suspected food allergies show. After undergoing a diagnostic, just over half of the patients, 214 (51.1%) showed a positive immune response demonstrating the diagnosis. In the remaining 205 patients (48.9%), despite personal suspicions, the results of medical tests ruled out food allergy. Both researchers found, therefore, that exaggerates the condition of food allergies among the population.
Food Allergy Treatment
1. The treatment for food allergies is to eliminate the offending food. So simple and resounding.
2. There are no effective preventive drugs or desensitization treatment, contrary to what occurs with other allergies.
3. Some hypoallergenic diets offer good results, but are very severe and should not be kept for a long time. Thus, we have created other less severe than can be followed for months.
4. The prevention of food allergy should begin in childhood, shortly after birth. According to WHO, exclusive breastfeeding, delayed introduction of eggs, fish and nuts, and zinc supplementation of 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight for six months, boosts immunity, especially in low birth weight.
5. The infants allergic to cow’s milk should be fed exclusively on breast-feeding and the mother will follow a diet free of cow’s milk, eggs or fish because of the passage into breast milk allergen. Sometimes, children tolerate soy milk or hydrolyzed casein, which are a good substitute in most cases.
6. Children with early symptoms of allergy take longer to tolerate certain foods, but after a few years can (usually) return to consume them, placing them back on a phased basis and in small quantities.
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