Cebu City - Food allergy is an adverse immune–mediated reaction to food while food intolerances are an adverse reactions to a food or food additive that does not involve the immune system and results from the body’s inability to digest, absorb, or metabolize food or component of the food. Both are essential to understand for addressing its management.

Milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans are the major food allergens. On the other hand, one can experience food intolerance from dairy products, chocolates, eggs, and food additives.

Any of the following symptoms will occur if you have an adverse reaction to food: Rash or flushed skin, itchy sensation in the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing.

The management includes food elimination which is done by recording the food and symptoms experienced over a period of 7 to 14 days. Once a food is suspected to cause clinical symptoms, it will be eliminated in the diet for 4 to 12 weeks. Another management to consider is desensitization and it is done by reintroducing the food in minute amounts.

According to experts, there is currently no cure for food allergies and avoiding the food to which you are allergic is the only way to prevent a reaction. However, measures can be taken to reduce the risk of serious health consequences by avoiding food allergens and quickly recognizing and managing allergic reactions to food if they occur.  // PDO I Joyce M. Santillan, RND