The Solutions of Food Allergy - Smartcook Pty Ltd

Allergies, including food allergy, are common chronic diseases in Hong Kong. Food allergy is an immune system reaction that occurs soon after eating a certain food with certain ingredient, which results in discomfort and affects the quality of life. In severe cases, it may even be life-threatening. So, what are the causes of food allergies? What are the solutions of food allergy?

The Cause of Food Allergy

The main cause of food allergy is the imbalance of the immune system, which makes it overreact to certain food allergens, even if it is harmless to the body. When it activates the defence mechanism to resist, it causes discomfort for human body. The most common food allergens are gluten-containing cereals, crustaceans, eggs, fish, dairy, nuts, peanuts, and soy products.

The Symptoms of Food Allergy

Symptoms of food allergy vary from person to person and can appear on different parts of the body. They usually appear within minutes to an hour of exposure to the allergen. Symptoms include sneezing, rash, red and swollen skin, abdominal pain, vomiting, wheezing, or even difficulty breathing. Mild symptoms may subside on their own within a few hours, but for more serious cases, you need to seek medical attention immediately so it can be controlled with drugs before it’s too late.

Types of Solutions for Food Allergy :

· Medication

Patients can take antihistamine medications when they have allergy reactions, which can help relieve symptoms and act as prevention. However, these drugs can have side effects such as drowsiness, thirst or stomach upset, so seek medical advice before taking them.

· Immunotherapy (also known as “desensitization therapy”)

The principle of immunotherapy is to allow patients to gradually expose to an increased dose of allergen extract, thereby reducing the symptoms of allergic reactions. This is a long-term treatment regimen, which takes about three to five years. Normally we will see the patient gradually decrease in response to the allergen and eventually become completely desensitized and no longer have any allergic reactions to the food.

· Staying Away

The most straightforward solution without medication or treatment is to stay away from allergens. If you pay attention to your diet, the ingredient labels on food packaging, and avoid eating foods that can cause allergies, you can avoid food allergies.

In addition, even if you cook at home, there are many details you should pay attention to. It is recommended to choose materials that are smooth, easy to clean, and non-peeling and fading for kitchen utensils. All surfaces that meet with food should not have recesses (for example, there should be no screws on the bottom of the lid) to prevent food from clinging to and washing out which may accumulate allergens. Apart from stainless steel, fully coated and ceramic finishes are acceptable, but once the coating peels off, it must be replaced.

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