Causes Of Food Allergy

When you have a food allergy, your immune system mistakenly identifies a food or food substance as something harmful. Activates your immune system cells to release antibodies called immunoglobulin E (IgE) to neutralize the culprit food or food substance (allergen). The next time you eat even the smallest amount of food that IgE antibodies that sense and signal your immune system to release a chemical called histamine and other chemicals in the blood.

These chemicals cause a wide range of signs and symptoms of allergy. They are responsible for causing allergic reactions include runny nose, itchy eyes, dry throat, rashes and hives, nausea, diarrhea, difficulty breathing and even anaphylactic shock.

Most food allergies are caused by certain proteins in:

Shellfish such as prawns, lobsters and crabs

Peanuts

Nuts such as walnuts and pecans

Fishes

Eggs

In children, food allergies are often triggered by proteins:

Eggs

Milk

Peanuts

Nuts

Wheat

Chocolate, long considered by some parents because of food allergies in children are rarely triggers an allergy to food.

Food intolerance and other reactions

There are a number of reactions to food, which causes symptoms similar to food allergy. Depending on the food allergies you have, you may be able to eat small amounts of food problem without a reaction. On the other hand, if you have a true food allergy, even a small amount of food can trigger an allergic reaction. Since food intolerance may involve some of the symptoms food allergy does - such as nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhea - people can confuse the two.

One of the most difficult aspects in the diagnosis of food intolerance is that some people are sensitive to food is not himself, but for a substance or an ingredient used in food preparation.

Common conditions that can cause symptoms confused with a food allergy may include:

Absence of an enzyme needed to digest food. You may not have sufficient quantities of certain enzymes needed to digest certain foods. Insufficient levels of the enzyme lactase, for example, reduces your ability to digest lactose, the main sugar in dairy products. Lactose intolerance can cause bloating, gas, cramps, diarrhea and excess.

Food poisoning. Sometimes food poisoning can mimic an allergic reaction. Bacteria in tuna and other fish may also spoiled a toxin that triggers adverse reactions.

Sensitivity to food additives. Some people have reactions and other digestive symptoms after eating certain food additives. For example, sulfites are used to preserve dried fruit, preserves and wine attacks trigger asthma in susceptible individuals. Other additives that can trigger severe reactions include monosodium glutamate (MSG), artificial sweeteners and dyes.

Recurring stress or psychological factors. Sometimes the mere thought of food can cause illness. The reason is not fully understood.

Celiac disease. While celiac disease is sometimes called a gluten allergy, it is not a true food allergy. As a food allergy, it implies an immune system response, but a response of the immune system is unique, more complex than a simple food allergy. This chronic digestive condition triggered by eating gluten, a protein found in bread, pasta, cakes and many other foods containing wheat, barley or rye. If you have celiac disease and eat foods containing gluten, an immune response that causes damage to the surface of your small intestine, leading to an inability to absorb certain nutrients.