Should I Avoid “Related Food”?— Food Allergies
Avoid related foods? Should I? In this article, we’ll discuss
- how one can identify food allergy;
- the science of cross-reactivity, and;
- introducing new foods to your diet.
So, without wasting time, let’s get on with it:-
How To Identify Food Allergy & Avoid Related Foods?
Food allergy is a condition under which our body overreacts to a specific ingredient in the food.
For instance, some kids have an allergy to milk, because of protein in cow’s milk.
Now, you know you have an allergy to the protein in specific food, will you also be allergic to the protein in related foods? If this happens, then you’ve cross-reactivity food allergy.
Cross-reactivity happens when protein in one food is similar in shape to protein in any other food you are having at the same time. Therefore, our immune system is unable to tell the difference.
An allergist will advise you to take a cross-reactivity test to determine a comprehensive treatment plan and help you feel better & live better.
The ready-to-use and color-coded ELISA kits provide greater accuracy and reliability for food sensitivity, allergy, and tolerance.
Food allergies trigger a variety of responses. Many people get a rash after consuming a particular food, but some even experience life-threatening reactions such as anaphylaxis. This happens when the body starts making the IgE antibodies in response to the protein in a specific food.
The IgE causes several symptoms or physical reactions: breathing difficulties, nausea, vomiting, or even life-threatening anaphylactic shock.
An allergist may advise you to order blood tests online for identifying food-specific IgE antibodies in your blood. Multiple tests are done for creating an individualized treatment plan.
How to Avoid Related Foods?
Allergists have discovered that people who are allergic to a particular food are bound to react the same way with related foods. So, identifying similar foods is essential, if you and anyone in your family is having food allergies.
The allergists will advise how to try new foods or add back food to your diet. For example, if you have nausea reactions to cashews, you are most likely to feel the same way for pistachios & mango.
There are several families of foods interlinked; you need to speak to your doctor about your food allergy and the chances of cross-reactivity. A healthcare provider will provide tailored guidance evaluating your test results and information.
How to Introduce New Food To Your Diet, and Avoid Cross-Reactivity?
Once you’ve been diagnosed with food allergies and cross-reactivity, the next step is what food to eat and what to avoid in the future.
If you’ve severe allergic reactions to a specific diet, you must have a more cautious approach. Stay clear of the food that is not recommended by the doctor.
Final Thoughts
The response of individuals varies considerably for food allergies and cross-reactivity. It is necessary to speak with your allergist-immunologist if you are experiencing adverse reactions with one or a group of foods.
The ELISA test provides a precise diagnosis and assists your doctor in guiding as to whether cross-reactive food is required to be eliminated from your diet.