Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology located in Katy, Richmond, & Houston, TX
Maintaining a healthy diet can be challenging enough, but for children and adults with food allergies, eating poses more serious concerns. In some cases, allergic reactions can prove life-threatening. Pardeep Rihal, MD, at West Houston Allergy & Asthma, with locations in Katy, Richmond, and Houston, Texas, offers expert diagnosis and treatment for food allergies. Call the office nearest to you today to schedule an appointment, or book one online.
A food allergy is an immune system reaction to consuming a certain food. It’s a serious medical condition that could ultimately prove life-threatening. The condition affects over 32 million Americans, and 1 in 13 children have a food allergy.
It’s easy to confuse a food allergy with food intolerance. A food allergy involves the immune system, while a food intolerance might upset your stomach, but your body doesn’t produce antibodies to fight the harmful substance.
Your body’s immune system might identify specific foods or substances as allergens, things that are harmful to you. Your immune system activates cells to release immunoglobulin E (IgE), an antibody, to combat the allergen.
Each time you have even the smallest part of that allergen, IgE antibodies signal to your immune system to release the chemical histamine into your bloodstream. These histamines then help your body get rid of the allergens.
Food allergy symptoms can vary, depending on their severity and manifestation. For some, the allergic reaction is more uncomfortable than severe. For others, the response is stronger, perhaps even involving a life-threatening situation.
It’s typical for food allergy symptoms to occur within minutes or hours from eating harmful food. The allergen enters the digestive system, and immediately your body triggers a protective response. When this happens, these common symptoms may occur:
While there may not be a cure for food allergies, the allergic reaction may disappear over time. The first step in treatment is to have a board-certified allergist or immunologist at West Houston Allergy & Asthma take a detailed history to determine the food allergy. Once your doctor determines the food allergen, the best treatment is to avoid the trigger food.
The caring team at West Houston Allergy & Asthma understands what it’s like to live with a food allergy. Reach the knowledgeable staff by calling the office nearest to you today to schedule an appointment, or book one online.