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<p>The immune system is supposed to identify and destroy germs for example bacteria or viruses that invades our body. What happens when a person has a food allergy is that the immune system targets a harmless food protein, an allergen, as something dangerous and attacks it. This exaggerated immune response is mediated by immunoglobulin antibodies (IgE antibodies) which are proteins produced by the immune system to fight foreign substances. IgE antibodies trigger the symptoms of an allergic reaction, which can vary in severity from slight itchiness to potentially fatal anaphylaxis (difficulty breathing, reduced blood pressure)<sup>1, 2</sup>. It is estimated that about 1- 2% of the general population has some sort of food allergy<sup>3</sup>.</p> | <p>The immune system is supposed to identify and destroy germs for example bacteria or viruses that invades our body. What happens when a person has a food allergy is that the immune system targets a harmless food protein, an allergen, as something dangerous and attacks it. This exaggerated immune response is mediated by immunoglobulin antibodies (IgE antibodies) which are proteins produced by the immune system to fight foreign substances. IgE antibodies trigger the symptoms of an allergic reaction, which can vary in severity from slight itchiness to potentially fatal anaphylaxis (difficulty breathing, reduced blood pressure)<sup>1, 2</sup>. It is estimated that about 1- 2% of the general population has some sort of food allergy<sup>3</sup>.</p> | ||
<p>A person living with a food allergy is under constant threat from hidden allergens in anything they consume, wear, or even breathe. It is generally considered that peanut allergies are amongst the most dangerous of allergies due to the severity of the symptoms despite minimal contact and the fact that peanut allergies are often life-long<sup>3, 4</sup>. As for general food allergy, peanut allergy effects about 1% of the general population. However, in the last decade there seems to have been an increase of peanut allergy among children both in the United States and Europe<sup>5, 6</sup>.</p> | <p>A person living with a food allergy is under constant threat from hidden allergens in anything they consume, wear, or even breathe. It is generally considered that peanut allergies are amongst the most dangerous of allergies due to the severity of the symptoms despite minimal contact and the fact that peanut allergies are often life-long<sup>3, 4</sup>. As for general food allergy, peanut allergy effects about 1% of the general population. However, in the last decade there seems to have been an increase of peanut allergy among children both in the United States and Europe<sup>5, 6</sup>.</p> | ||
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Revision as of 16:45, 15 October 2014
The Context
A food allergy is defined as ”an adverse health effect arising from a specific immune response that occurs reproducibly on exposure to a given food”1.
The immune system is supposed to identify and destroy germs for example bacteria or viruses that invades our body. What happens when a person has a food allergy is that the immune system targets a harmless food protein, an allergen, as something dangerous and attacks it. This exaggerated immune response is mediated by immunoglobulin antibodies (IgE antibodies) which are proteins produced by the immune system to fight foreign substances. IgE antibodies trigger the symptoms of an allergic reaction, which can vary in severity from slight itchiness to potentially fatal anaphylaxis (difficulty breathing, reduced blood pressure)1, 2. It is estimated that about 1- 2% of the general population has some sort of food allergy3.
A person living with a food allergy is under constant threat from hidden allergens in anything they consume, wear, or even breathe. It is generally considered that peanut allergies are amongst the most dangerous of allergies due to the severity of the symptoms despite minimal contact and the fact that peanut allergies are often life-long3, 4. As for general food allergy, peanut allergy effects about 1% of the general population. However, in the last decade there seems to have been an increase of peanut allergy among children both in the United States and Europe5, 6.
2 Murphy, K. Janeway´s Immunobiology. 8:th edition. New York: Garland science, 2011.
3 Young E, Stoneham MD, Petruckevitch A, Barton J, Rona R. A population study of food intolerance. Lancet. 1994; 343: 1127-30.
4 Hugh A.S. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Peanut allergy: Emerging concepts and approaches for an apparent epidemic. September 2007: Volume 120 (Issue 3): Pages 491-503.
5 Scott H. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. US prevalence of self-reported peanut, tree nut, and sesame allergy: 11-year follow-up. June 2010: Volume 125 (Issue 6): Pages 1322-1326.
