Featured Article 

It is important to know the difference between food allergies and food intolerances, because food allergies can be life-threatening. Food intolerances, however, are not life-threatening but do result in unpleasant symptoms. Examples of food intolerances include: cramping and diarrhea from milk products (lactose intolerance), or a headache from artificial sweeteners.

A food allergy develops when a person’s immune system has an abnormal reaction to one or more proteins in a food.

A range of symptoms may develop, including:

• Hives, itching, tearing, redness, swelling, sneezing, runny nose.
• Throat swelling or itching, hoarseness, sensation of choking, difficulty getting air, coughing, chest tightness, wheezing.
• Dizziness, weakness, low blood pressure, irregular heart rate.

The last two categories of symptoms constitute anaphylaxis, which usually begins 5 to 60 minutes after eating the allergenic food. People who develop anaphylaxis need immediate medical care.

As a physician and a parent of a child with food allergies, I recommend being respectful of restrictions that places have to protect those with severe allergies (i.e. schools that don’t allow peanut products).

Most food allergies present themselves in small children. If you suspect you or a loved one has a food allergy, please bring your concerns to your provider.