Many people suffer from food allergies. They might mildly break out if they eat tomatoes, or they may go into anaphylactic shock if they consume peanut butter. The degree to which individuals suffer from food allergies varies so greatly, so some may outgrow a food allergy while others won’t.
Types of Food Allergies
Out growing food allergies depends on how severe the allergy is and often relates to the type of allergy suffered. Some common allergies include tree nuts, dairy products, shellfish and soy. People can be allergic to any type of food. Many allergies can be outgrown including allergies to dairy products and soy. Generally, allergies to seafood and nuts tend to remain throughout a person’s life.
Treatment of Food Allergies
Food allergy treatments depend upon the type of food to which the patient is allergic and the degree to which he or she is allergic. Individuals who are seriously allergic to a certain food might not benefit from any food allergy treatments at all.
Allergy shots are not used to treat food allergies. On the other hand, allergy shots are great at helping with nasal allergies like “hayfever”, including itchy and watery eyes, asthma control and even eczema.
Outgrowing Food Allergies
Many people can outgrow food allergies such as like milk, egg, wheat and soy. Up to 80% will outgrow these allergies over time. Some people’s bodies simply change as they grow older. Just as some individuals suffer from childhood asthma that disappears when they are adults, many adults can happily consume the food that they were once allergic to as children.
Developing an Immunity
The science for understanding food allergy is evolving rapidly. Ten years ago the main advice for allergy to egg and dairy products was to avoid every speck of allergen. However, we’ve learned that there is a 15 times better chance of outgrowing the food allergen if it stays in the diet in some form. For example, many kids who are allergic to eggs do just fine with baked products. Current research suggests that by keeping those baked products in the diet actually improves the chance of outgrowing the allergy. This should only be done with a board-certified allergy doctor’s oversight. Even so, the doctor may not be up to date on the most recent literature. So, shop for you doctor’s carefully and ask their opinion on these topics.
When it comes to allergies, people want to make sure they are taking the issue seriously since allergic reactions can have fatal consequences. While some will have their allergies forever, others will see that it is indeed possible to outgrow a food allergy.
For additional information or to make an appointment call one of our offices in Colorado Springs, North Colorado Springs, Pueblo or Canon City today!