Today, there are more and more people with some type of allergy. Additionally, food allergies seem to be the biggest issue among people of all ages. Allergic reactions can be quite serious and the fight against them is long and hard. That is why food allergy testing is a key component for all allergists in the entire world. Even though allergies can affect people of all ages, children seem to be the ones affected the most and they are at a higher risk of having a severe reaction. With allergies being quite serious, let’s see why food allergy testing is of utmost importance in today’s modern world.
They Are Growing More Prevalent
In recent decades, food allergies have become more common and prevalent, which significantly increases the importance of testing. Even though the causes for this rise cannot be fully known, factors that could reduce exposure may play a huge part in preventing allergies. This is where allergy testing can make sure that children and adults are protected and not exposed to allergens that can cause severe allergic reactions.
Self-Diagnosed Allergies May Not Be Correct
People often know how to recognize if they are allergic to certain pollutants or food. However, self-diagnosing yourself or your child can be a double-edged sword. Food allergies can be quite dangerous and this is something you should not experiment with. That is why it’s important to visit a food allergy specialist as soon as you’ve noticed any symptoms of food allergies.
There is a lot of research that shows that self-reported rates of food allergies are significantly higher than the actual ones. Not every stomach pain, skin rash, or congestion indicates a food allergy, and that is why testing is essential.
Food Allergies Could Lower the Quality of Life
Any type of allergy can bring discomfort and affect the quality of your life. Food allergies are especially inconvenient and dangerous and can affect your daily life. There is a study that shows that peanut allergies put a lot of pressure and stress on families with those food allergies, and significantly decrease the quality of their lives. Peanut allergies are specifically tricky because many products and dishes contain traces of peanuts. If a child or an adult has a severe peanut allergy, they could have an extreme reaction just from those traces.
This means that a lot of people with food allergies cannot eat the majority of foods and constantly have to be aware of the ingredients in every product. To help tackle these issues, every doctor will recommend getting tested for food allergies and providing treatment that can help increase the quality of life.
Most Common Types of Food Allergies
The list of common types of food allergies is long, and a lot of people struggle with them. There are uncommon food allergies, too, but those are rare. If you want to understand if you are allergic or intolerant to certain foods, allergy testing is always the solution. And even if you notice any type of reaction your body shows after eating certain foods, you should get tested and make sure to avoid those foods. So, these are the most common food allergies:
- Peanuts
- Milk
- Eggs
- Tree nuts
- Soy
- Shellfish
- Fish
These are the most common food allergies in people. However, there are uncommon ones and these include:
- Corn
- Meat
- Gelatin
- Seeds
- Apples
- Avocados
- Spices
- Citrus fruits
Symptoms to Pay Attention to
Our bodies are all different and can have different reactions to certain foods. However, there are common symptoms connected to food allergies. Symptoms can be mild to severe and it is essential to always know what you are allergic to in order to get the best treatment in case of an emergency. Here are the symptoms that could appear if you are allergic to certain foods:
- Hives or eczema
- Swelling in parts of the face or body
- Trouble breathing
- Tingling or itching around the mouth or inside
- Dizziness
- Abdominal pain or diarrhea
There are also more severe symptoms of food allergies, including:
- Construction of the airways
- Swollen throat
- Loss of consciousness
- Rapid pulse
- Shock or drop in blood pressure
If you notice any of these, you should immediately get help.
We as humans can be allergic to anything. Our bodies work in mysterious ways, but we have learned how to treat the most common allergies with ease. Food allergies are unfortunate and can decrease the quality of your life, besides being dangerous. That is why it’s important to get tested for food allergies, or any other allergies, so you can safely continue through your life and get the right treatment.
About the Guest Author
Eve Anderson is a marketing specialist turned blogger. Interested in sports and exciting travel destinations. Love to share content that can inform people.
