Food Allergy Specialist in Mumbai

What are allergies?

Food Allergy specialist in Mumbai describes an allergy as a response of a body to certain substances present in the environment that are harmless to most others. The allergy causing substances are known as allergens and are present in mites, dust, animals, pollens, food, etc. Food allergy specialist in Mumbai explains food allergy as a damaging immune response to a substance which has become hypersensitive to the body. When we come in contact with the substance, the reaction isn’t immediate – the immune system builds up sensitivity to the substance before reacting. Janvi, the food allergy specialist in Mumbai explains the different types of allergies like food allergies, insect allergies, latex allergies, mold allergies, pet allergies, pollen allergies, etc. Some allergies are also seasonal like viral fever in certain seasons.

What are food allergies?

Food allergies are certain types of immune reactions to some types of foods or proteins. Even a tiny particle of the allergy causing food may trigger symptoms such as digestive problems, hives, inflammation, etc. As suggested by the food allergy specialist in Mumbai, in some cases, there may also be severe life-threatening reactions to food allergies which are called anaphylaxis. Food allergies specialist says that these food allergies are caused by the immune system to incorrectly identify some harmless proteins in the food as harmful and initiate reactions against them.

What are food intolerance?

Food intolerance or non-IgE mediated food hypersensitivity or non-allergic food hypersensitivity is a situation in which a person faces difficulty in digesting certain foods, says the food allergy specialist in Mumbai. Commonly associated foods with food intolerance can be dairy products, grains that contain gluten, and intestinal gas buildup foods, such as beans and cabbage. Food allergies expert in Mumbai suggests that it’s tricky to differentiate between food allergies and food intolerance as symptoms may overlap. Incase of food intolerance symptoms may take longer to emerge. Food allergy specialist says spotting which foods are sinners can take a long time as many people are intolerant to varied groups of food hence making the task difficult for doctors to determine whether it is chronic illness or food intolerance. Food intolerance can be due to

• Absence of an enzyme
• Food poisoning – toxins
• Chemical causes of food intolerance like amines,caffeine etc
• Natural occurrence of histamine in some foods
• Presence of salicylates in many foods

Food allergy specialist in Mumbai recommends, it is important to understand that food intolerance is different from food allergies. How? that is explained below, Food allergies trigger even small amounts of the food and occur each time the food is consumed . As suggested by a food allergy specialist in Mumbai, it is prohibited to consume allergens in case of food allergies. Same is not the case with food intolerance, they often are dose related, people with food intolerance may not have issues unless food is consumed in large portion or frequently. For example, a person with lactose intolerance can drink milk in coffee or a single glass of milk, but becomes sick if he or she intakes several glasses of milk. A food allergy specialist in Mumbai or an expert can help you determine if you are allergic or intolerant to food, and develop a plan to help control symptoms.

Elimination and Reintroduction: The food allergy specialist in Mumbai explains that elimination diet means systematically removing foods from your diet which are thought to cause adverse reactions in your body leading to allergies, the food allergy expert in Mumbai also explains that elimination diet usually involves entirely removing a suspected food from the diet for a certain period: usually a period of two weeks to two months; to see if the symptoms get resolved during that time period.

Some experts also recommend you follow an elimination diet for 5 to 7 days to see whether the symptoms persist or resolve so they can go for the treatment accordingly. The food allergy specialist in Mumbai, says while you eliminate the food, it is important to check on certain factors related to allergy to see whether they are still present.

• Gas
• Bloating
• Rashes
• Itching
• Headache
• Heartburn

Food allergy specialist in Mumbai advises that if the symptoms go down progressively, then there is a chance of a high immune response in your body. You may then add one item back after a period of 7 to 15 days, depending on the severity of the changes in the symptoms. It is not necessary that all the symptoms may be present all at once, they vary from person to person. Food allergy expert in Mumbai also suggests that the food group which helps your body the most when crowded out of the system should be continued for a longer period of one to three months at least. It is also important to note what the body responds the best to and what is helping the body heal.

TYPES OF FOOD ALLERGIES

The food allergy specialist in Mumbai explains the various types of food allergies like:

Milk Allergy
Milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies in humans as explained by the food allergy specialist in Mumbai The food allergies related to milk occur due to specific proteins especially cow’s milk protein which are present in milk or milk products like milk, milk powder, cheese, butter, margarine, etc. These food allergies are mostly found in children, but they usually outgrow them as they grow old.

Types of milk allergy narrated by food allergy specialist in Mumbai

Types of food allergies related to milk may be Cow’s milk allergy, almond milk allergy, soymilk allergy, rice milk allergy, etc.

Some of the suggested symptoms may be immediate or slow.

Immediate reactions include:

• Wheezing
• Itching
• Swelling of the tongue

Slow reactions (which develop over a couple of hours) are:

• Diarrhoea
• Intermittent coughing
• Runny Nose
• Watery eye

Egg Allergy
Egg allergy is a type of food allergy explained by the food allergy specialist in Mumbai, which occurs when the immune system of the body becomes sensitive to egg whites or egg yolk or both. When the body encounters egg, it recognizes egg as a foreign invader and sends out chemicals to neutralise its effect. These chemicals cause the symptoms of reactions to food allergies. The form of gas can be quite bad leading to string of gas resulting in constipation and continuous vicious cycle.

Few symptoms for food allergies related to eggs as suggested by the food allergy specialist in Mumbai:

• Vomiting
• Stomach cramps
• Diarrhoea
• Weak pulse
• Constriction of airways

Tree Nut Allergy
Tree nut allergy is one of the food allergies which is due to the sensitivity of the body to dietary substances from tree nuts or edible seeds from trees. As per the food allergy expert in Mumbai the body recognises these as invaders and causes a reaction in the immune system leading to severe physical symptoms. If a person has nut allergy, he or she may react to one or multiple types of nuts. Some types of nuts are cashew nuts, almonds, walnuts, pecan, pistachio, etc. The symptoms of food allergies caused due to tree nuts are:

• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Puffy or runny eyes
• Gravelly throat

Peanut Allergy
Peanut allergy is different from tree nut allergy suggests the food allergy specialist in Mumbai as peanuts are a category of legumes which grow below the ground and not true nuts. It can cause life-threatening reactions in some people. Food allergy expert in Mumbai say that peanut allergy is also one of the common types of food allergies, it can be quite bad leading to string of gas resulting in constipation and continuous vicious cycle.

peanut allergy explained by food allergy specialist in Mumbai

The symptoms are:

• Runny Nose
• Rapid Pulse
• ItchingDizziness

Shellfish Allergy
Shellfish allergy is the food allergy which is a response of the body’s immune system to certain proteins present in marine animals, says the food allergy specialist in Mumbai. Marine animals in the shellfish category include shrimp, crab, lobsters, etc.

Symptoms of food allergies due to shellfish include:

• Hives
• Wheezing
• Swollen throat
• Dizziness

Wheat Allergy
Wheat allergy is a reaction of the body to certain proteins found in wheat, which are otherwise harmless to most others. You are at a greater risk for developing wheat allergy if diseases like asthma or eczema are common in your family. It is one of the common food allergies as per the food allergy specialist in Mumbai and is often confused with celiac diseases. Wheat allergy is primarily an adverse immune response usually mediated by the nervous system, immune response of IGE to wheat proteins which may not necessarily be to gluten or its components. So for people with wheat allergy it may be possible for them to have a reaction to an average slice of whole wheat bread that is ten percent gluten by weight to contain approx. four point eight grams of gluten.

The symptoms of wheat allergy are:

• Hives
• Asthma
• Sneezing
• Stomach Cramps

Soy Allergy
oy is a protein which is usually present in infant food and processed foods. Food allergies due to soy are common in children but they eventually outgrow it. However, these food allergies may still be prevalent in some adults. The Food allergy specialist in Mumbai also suggests that these food allergies occur when proteins found in soy are mistaken as invaders and the body creates antibodies against them. This leads to an allergic reaction in the body. Soy is present in various foods like baked goods, canned foods, etc.

Symptoms for food allergies due to soy are:

• Tingling in the mouth
• Abdominal pain
• Light-headedness

Fish Allergy

Fish allergies is one of the uncommon food allergies, says the food allergy specialist in Mumbai. They are prominent more in adults as compared to children. People who have fish allergy react abnormally to finned fish which leads to allergic reactions in your body.

Symptoms for food allergies due to fish are:

• Belching, Bloating or Flatulence
• Nausea
• Generalised Itching

There may also be various other foods to which the body may abnormally react but these are the most common types of food allergies.

Tests to find out whether you are allergic to a certain type of food are:

• Dietary Review
• Skin Prick Test
• Oral Food Challenges
• Blood Test

Food allergies have mild to life-threatening reactions like anaphylaxis.

• Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:
• Skin Rashes
• Swelling of the tongue
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Stomach Pain

If you have any one of these food allergies or see some reactions after eating a certain kind of food, it is recommended that you visit an allergist.