Sonny Brocklebank

Don Vernon

Health 1020

July 26, 2017

One mans sandwich is another mans poison

It was a mundane lunch when my friends silent crusade commenced. She was not

fighting to campaign her ideas on others, on the contrary this battle was of her own inner

struggle. On one hand she knew practically that she should restrain herself, but on the other the

tantalizing piquancy of peanut butter was irresistible. Without hesitation she proceeded to check

out of the lunch and ate her pb&j at the table. With her concealed agenda now complete she

shoved her epipen into thigh and calmly told everyone at the lunch table if you guys need me, I

will be in the emergency room. With a level head she packed up her things and left her friends

at the lunch table speechless. That day was unforgettable to me, because even though it was

delivered in a comical way the dangerers of food allergies was brought to my attention.

Food allergy symptoms can range from moderate to extreme depending on how bad an

individual reacts to a certain trigger food. Some symptoms include hives, rashes, difficulty

breathing or talking due to glossitis, and even swelling of the lips or face. Anaphylaxis occurs

with severe allergic reactions and is an onset of more than one symptoms previously mentioned

in a rapid manner. This extreme reaction can be fatal leading to unconsciousness, cardiac arrest,

and in some cases death. While people may be allergic to different types of food about 90% of

food related allergies are most common in these eight food groups. Peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs,

wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish.

 If you are uncertain if you have any food allergies there tests that can help determine your

results. The two main tests conducted are the skin prick test and a blood test. A skin prick test is

when a solution of the food allergen is placed on your arm. They administer a small need to

allow the solution to go underneath the skin. If a reaction takes place within 15 to 20 minutes the

results are positive and you have a food allergy. Blood tests is when they test for specific

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) for foods. The tests usually take about seven days to process the results.

Results do not however determine if you are allergic they merely suggest the likelihood of you

having an allergic reaction. Of the two the skin prick test is usually the preferred method of the

two for it delivers results more quickly and effectively than blood tests.

Most food allergies are caught as a child however 15% of food allergies are discovered as

an adult. It is said that people who are diagnosed of having a food allergy are two to four times

more likely to develop other allergic conditions such as asthma or eczema. According to

foodallergies.org there are 15 million people diagnosed with food allergies. This number

includes 5.9 million children, that is about 1 in 13 children or two to three children in a

classroom. It is stated that the delaying of certain food allergens may not benefit the children for

the are still likely to develope an allergy. It is recommended that you introduce peanut into a

childs diet if they show severe eczema or egg allergies to a child as soon as four to six months.

The allergic reaction occurs because of the immune system produces a certain antibody

known as immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE binds to immune cells known as mast cells or basophil

cells. When an allergen binds to IgE it releases histamine and other chemicals. Because these

chemicals are released rapidly symptoms can occur in a short time. For moderate allergic

reactions one can relieve their symptoms with an antihistamine. However this antihistamine is
not effective for severe reactions. For severe reaction (anaphylaxis) one must take at least one

dose of epinephrine and go to the emergency room. To administer the epinephrine you must

remove the cap and press the orange end of the pen into the thigh with a punching motion. Keep

the pen there for 10 seconds and plan to seek medical attention.

While living with food allergies can be a pain it is manageable. It also has the added

benefit that you are aware of what you are putting into your body. Because of the allergen you

must read food labels to lookout for any trigger foods. It may also help you save money for you

are likely to prepare your own foods then eat out. And some have said having food allergies have

encouraged them to follow a healthier diet plan.

 Works cited

Food Allergy. ACAAI Public Website, acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergy. Accessed 26 July

2017.

Blood Tests for Food Allergy - Food Allergy Research & Education,

www.foodallergy.org/diagnosis-and-testing/blood-tests. Accessed 26 July 2017.

Rusznak, Csaba, and Robert J Davies. Diagnosing Allergy.BMJ : British Medical Journal,

British Medical Journal, 28 Feb. 1998,

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1112683/. Accessed 26 July 2017.

Schaefer, Anna. The 8 Most Uncommon Food Allergies. Healthline, Healthline Media, 6 May

2015, www.healthline.com/health/allergies/most-uncommon-food-allergies#7. Accessed

26 July 2017.

Food Allergy. Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2 May

2017,

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/food-allergy/diagnosis-treatment/treatment/txc-

20317762. Accessed 26 July 2017.