Food allergies as an adult

Most of the time, you hear about kids with food allergies. But The Today Show had a story with Dr. Azar about adults suddenly developing food allergies. 

This is something I can relate to because I suddenly developed a seafood allergy as an adult.

When I told a family member about that, he said, "No way. I remember you used to eat tuna sandwiches when we were kids!" 

I told him, "Well, I can't anymore!" He refused to believe that I could suddenly be allergic to  seafood. I told him that you can develop food allergies at any time.

I am in good company - I am one of 26 million adult Americans with a food allergy. And 50% developed food allergies after age 18. I am in that group that developed a food allergy as an adult.

The Today story said that there are 3 main foods that adults can suddenly become allergic to. They are:

Which is exactly what I am dealing with, I am allergic to ALL seafood (shellfish, salmon -  you name it. If it's been in the sea, it can kill me.)

How do you know if you could suddenly develop a food allergy? Dr. Azar says:

"So if you have asthma, eczema, hay fever, you are more likely to develop food allergies as an adult,” 

Bingo! I have all 3! Lucky Me! 

So, what would does an allergic reaction to food look like? The Today show lists:

Common food allergy symptoms, include:

• Hives
• Rashes
• Swollen lips
• Tightening throat
• Struggling to breathe
• Chest tightness
• Faintness
• Repeated vomiting

What to you do if you are having a reaction? FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) recommends:

• Administer epinephrine (using the individual’s easy-to-use epinephrine auto-injector)  and call 911 for any of the following severe symptoms:
  • Lung: shortness of breath, wheezing, repetitive cough
  • Heart: pale, blue, faint, weak pulse, dizzy
  • Throat: tight, hoarse, trouble breathing/swallowing
  • Mouth: significant swelling of the tongue and/or lips
  • Skin:  many hives over body, widespread redness
  • Gut: repetitive vomiting or severe diarrhea
  • Other: feeling something bad is about to happen, anxiety confusion
  • Or a combination of mild or severe symptoms from different body areas
• Antihistamines may be given, if recommended by a physician, for a single mild symptom, such as:
  • Nose: itchy/runny nose, sneezing
  • Mouth: itchy mouth
  • Skin: a few hives, mild itch
  • Gut: mild nausea/discomfort
  • If these symptoms worsen, give epinephrine.
   
  
  FARE also says:
   
• "Epinephrine is a safe and relatively harmless drug, and allergists advise that if you have any doubt about whether to use epinephrine, you should go ahead and use it. Your allergist may prefer that epinephrine be used before symptoms or with only mild symptoms if a food allergen was eaten."
  
  "It’s important to note that this lifesaving drug should be given first, followed by a call to 911. We also advise that you let dispatchers know that you are giving epinephrine and that you are requesting an ambulance with epinephrine."
  
  "Again, when in doubt, give epinephrine! This is critically important. You could save a life."
  
  
  
  Good advice from FARE!
  So, do you need to stress out each time you eat a meal? No, but knowledge is power! 
  
  
  If you are in the category of being higher risk (having asthma, eczema and hay fever), just be aware of the common foods you could suddenly develop a food allergy to, and know the signs of an allergic reaction listed above.