A Little Bit Can Hurt (21 page)

• Itching in the nose, roof of the mouth, throat, eyes
  
• Sneezing
  
• Stuffy nose (congestion)
  
• Runny nose
  
• Tearing eyes
  
• Dark circles under the eyes.
  ¹⁰
  

Anaphylaxis:
A serious allergic response that often involves swelling,
hives,
lowered blood pressure and in severe cases, shock. If anaphylactic shock isn't treated immediately, it can be fatal.

A major difference between anaphylaxis and other allergic reactions is that anaphylaxis typically involves more than one system of the body.

Symptoms usually start within 5 to 30 minutes of coming into contact with an allergen to which an individual is allergic. In some cases, however, it may take more than an hour to notice anaphylactic symptoms. Warning signs may include:

• Red rash (usually itchy and may have welts/hives)
  
• Swollen throat or swollen areas of the body
  
• Wheezing
  
• Passing out
  
• Chest tightness
  
• Trouble breathing
  
• Hoarse voice
  
• Trouble swallowing
  
• Vomiting
  
• Diarrhea
  
• Stomach cramping
  
• Pale or red color to the face and body
  

Anaphylaxis may occur in people with allergies to foods, insect stings, medications or latex. If you are at risk for anaphylaxis, be prepared with an anaphylaxis action plan and by carrying autoinjectible epinephrine.
¹¹

Antihistamine:
Any of various compounds that oppose the actions of histamine and are used especially for treating allergic reactions, cold symptoms and motion sickness.
¹²

Asthma:
A chronic lung disorder that is marked by recurring episodes of airway obstruction manifested by labored breathing accompanied especially by wheezing and coughing and by a sense of constriction or tightness in the chest, and that is typically triggered by hyper reactivity to various stimuli (as
allergens
or rapid change in air temperature).
¹³

Auvi-Q
^®
:
The first and only compact epinephrine auto injector for severe allergic reactions that talks you through the injection process step by step.
¹⁴

Benadryl
^®
:
A brand name for the common and fast-acting
antihistamine
diphenhydramine hydrochloride.

Biphasic reaction:
Occurs in two phases. The first reaction includes an initial set of symptoms that seem to improve and go away but then reappear. The second reaction can occur between 8 and 72 hours after the first reaction.
¹⁵

Casein:
One of several milk proteins.
¹⁶

Celiac Disease:
Celiac disease is a digestive condition. Individuals with Celiac disease experience an immune reaction when eating gluten-containing products
such as wheat, barley, rye and sometimes oats. Gluten can also be found in medicines, vitamins and lip balms.

The immune reaction from gluten occurs in the small intestine damaging the villi and causing abdominal pain, bloating or diarrhea. The villi help the body absorb nutrients from food so as the condition progresses, malnourishment occurs.
¹⁷

Contact dermatitis:
A delayed allergic reaction of the skin that occurs after skin comes in contact with an allergen such as poison ivy, washing powders, perfumes or other irritants.
¹⁸

Cross contact:
Commonly referred to as "cross contamination," cross contact is the inadvertent introduction of an allergen into a product. It is generally the result of environmental exposure during processing or handling, which may occur when multiple foods are produced in the same facility. It may occur due to use of the same processing line, through the misuse of rework, as the result of ineffective cleaning, or from the generation of dust or aerosols containing an
allergen
.
¹⁹

Desensitize:
To make (a sensitized or hypersensitive individual) insensitive or nonreactive to a sensitizing agent.
²⁰

Eczema:
An inflammatory condition of the skin characterized by redness, itching and oozing vesicular lesions which become scaly, crusted or hardened - called also "atopic dermatitis."
²¹

EleCare
^®
and EleCare
^®
Jr.:
An amino acid-based formula in which proteins are in their simplest form, making it easier for the body to process and digest. EleCare and EleCare Jr. are for the dietary management of severe food allergies, eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, short bowel syndrome, malabsorption and other conditions in which an amino acid-based diet is required.
²²

Eosinophilic Esophagitis:
A chronic disorder of the digestive system in which large numbers of a particular type of white blood cell called eosinophils are present in the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Eosinophils are an important part of the immune system and play a role in fighting infection. This condition is characterized by vomiting, stomach or chest pain, failure to thrive (particularly in children) and difficulty swallowing.
²³

Epinephrine:
A colorless crystalline hormone C9H13NO3 that is the principal blood pressure-raising hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla and is used medicinally especially as a heart stimulant, a vasoconstrictor in controlling hemorrhages of the skin, and a muscle relaxant in bronchial
asthma
- called also "adrenaline."
²⁴

EpiPen
^®
(epinephrine) 0.3 mg and EpiPen Jr
^®
(epinephrine) 0.15 mg Auto-Injectors:
For the emergency treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions
(anaphylaxis)
caused by
allergens,
exercise or unknown triggers; and for people who are at increased risk for these reactions.
²⁵

Fluorocarbon:
Any of various chemically inert compounds containing carbon and fluorine used chiefly as lubricants, refrigerants, nonstick coatings, and formerly aerosol propellants and in making resins and plastics.
²⁶

Food allergens:
The parts of food or ingredients within food (usually proteins) that are recognized by immune cells. When an immune cell binds to a food allergen, a reaction occurs that causes the symptoms of
food allergy.
²⁷

Food allergy:
An adverse health effect arising from a specific immune response that occurs reproducibly on exposure to a given food.
²⁸

Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) :
A nonprofit organization which serves as a trusted source of information, programs and resources related to food allergy and anaphylaxis. Merged with FAI in November 2012 to form FARE.
²⁹

Food Allergy Initiative (FAI) :
The world's largest private source of funding for food allergy research. FAI supports research to find a cure; clinical programs to improve diagnosis and treatment; public policy to increase federal funding for research and to create safer environments; and educational initiatives to heighten awareness and understanding. Merged with FAAN in November 2012 to form FARE.
³⁰

Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE):
A nonprofit organization dedicated to food allergy research and education with the mission of ensuring the safety and inclusion of individuals with food allergies while relentlessly seeking a cure. Formed by the merger of FAAN and FAI in November 2012.
³¹

Food intolerance or sensitivity:
A food intolerance, or a food sensitivity, occurs when a person has difficulty digesting a particular food. This can lead to symptoms such as intestinal gas, abdominal pain or diarrhea.

A food intolerance is sometimes confused with or mislabeled as a
food allergy.
Food intolerances involve the digestive system whereas food allergies involve the immune system. With a food allergy, even a microscopic amount of the food has the potential to lead to a serious or life-threatening reaction called
anaphylaxis.
³²

Gastroesophageal reflux:
Backward flow of the gastric contents into the esophagus due to improper functioning of a sphincter at the lower end of the esophagus and resulting in heartburn.
³³

Gluten Intolerance:
Gluten is a protein found primarily in wheat, barley and rye. Ifa person has gluten intolerance, this protein can cause digestive problems such as gassiness, abdominal pain or diarrhea.

Gluten intolerance is sometimes confused with
Celiac disease,
or thought of as a
food allergy.
While avoiding particular foods is a treatment strategy for all three, these are not the same conditions.

Food intolerances
such as gluten involve the digestive system. With a food allergy, the immune system overreacts to a particular food causing symptoms that are potentially serious or even life threatening. Celiac disease is an inherited autoimmune disorder that can damage the small intestine.
³⁴

Hay Fever:
Formally called "seasonal allergic rhinitis," hay fever is typically caused by outdoor allergens such as pollen from trees (Spring), grasses (Summer) and weeds (Fall). People with rhinitis are prone to symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, congestion and sinus pressure. Rhinitis can contribute to other problems such as
asthma,
sinus or ear conditions or trouble sleeping.
³⁵

Hives:
An allergic reaction of the skin. Symptoms include itchy, swollen, red bumps that appear suddenly. Hives can show up anywhere, including lips, tongue, and ears - called also "urticaria."
³⁶

Homeopathy:
A system of medical practice that treats a disease especially by the administration of minute doses of a remedy that would in larger amounts produce symptoms similar to those of the disease.
³⁷

Hydroxyzine:
A compound C21H27ClN2O2 used as an
antihistamine
and tranquilizer; brand name Atarax
^®
.
³⁸

Hypoallergenic:
Having little likelihood of causing an allergic response.
³⁹

Inhaler:
A device by means of which medicinal material is inhaled inhaler>.
⁴⁰

Lactose intolerance:
An inability to digest lactose which leads to excess fluid production in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, resulting in abdominal pain and diarrhea. The response is not a function of the immune system.
⁴¹

MedicAlert
^®
Foundation:
A nonprofit organization which coordinates a global medical identification and information network.
⁴²

Neocate
^®
Infant DHA and ARA:
A hypoallergenic, amino acid-based, nutritionally complete infant formula for the dietary management of cow's milk allergy, multiple food protein intolerance (MFPI) and food-allergy-associated conditions: gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), short bowel syndrome (SBS), malabsorption and other GI disorders.
⁴³

Probiotic:
A preparation (as a dietary supplement) containing live bacteria (as lactobacilli) that is taken orally to restore beneficial bacteria to the body;
also:
a bacterium of such a preparation.
⁴⁴

Whey:
The serum or watery part of milk that is separated from the curd especially in the process of making cheese and that is rich in lactose, minerals and vitamins and contains lactalbumin and traces of fat.
⁴⁵

REFERENCES

¹
The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.
Food Allergy Q&A for Reporters
. Retrieved from http://www.foodallergy.org/downloads/MediaQA.pdf

²
Ibid
.