For those who are allergic to certain foods, allergen diets can be the difference between living healthy and experiencing significant health problems. With a little knowledge and diligence, you can find out what kind of allergen diet you need to follow. If you suspect you may have a food allergy, speak to your doctor or an allergist before starting any new eating program.
Significance
Food allergies are a major problem in the United States. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, food allergies account for 30,000 emergency room visits, 2,000 hospitalizations, and 150 deaths each year. Food allergies occur when your body misidentifies foods as harmful invaders, responding as it would if you were becoming ill. However, since there are in fact no harmful invaders to kill, the histamines produced during an allergic reaction can cause itching, hives, throat constriction and even death from respiratory arrest.
Types
There are basically two types of allergen diets. Elimination diets are intended to identify what foods a person is allergic to. The other type of allergen diet, which doesn't have an official name but which might be thought of as a "specific allergen avoidance diet," simply refers to avoiding foods you already know you are allergic to.
Elimination Diet Method
Elimination diets work by selectively eliminating and reintroducing suspect foods. During an elimination diet, the patient stops eating suspect foods for a few weeks, while his symptoms are monitored to see if they go away. Then, suspect foods are reintroduced one at a time to see which foods cause a reaction. Because food allergies can be fatal, elimination diets should be done under the guidance of a physician or allergist; they are not something you should try without medical supervision.
Alternatives
There are alternatives to elimination diets. Doctors and allergists can also use skin and blood tests to check for allergies, and these tests may be better options for those who suffer from serious allergy symptoms such as trouble breathing. However, once you know you are allergic to a specific food, there is no alternative to an allergen diet: you must avoid the problem food. Fortunately, foods containing one or more of the eight most common allergens -- milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, and soybeans -- are required to carry an allergy warning.
Warning
If your doctor or allergist has put you on an elimination diet, do not ignore symptoms of an allergic reaction. You may be allergic to more than one food, and food allergies can be fatal if not treated promptly. Also, mild symptoms can progress to life-threatening symptoms. If you experience a reaction, initiate treatment with an EpiPen, call 911 or get to an emergency room immediately.
