Food allergy is an abnormal reaction of the immune system after eating a food. It is a condition that can cause serious and life-threatening reactions after touching the tongue of even a small amount of allergic food. In this article, we explained what a it is.
It is a Serious Disease
Food allergy occurs with abnormal reactions of the immune system after ingestion of a food. Even a small amount of this food, which the immune system has developed an allergy to, can cause serious reactions. Some of these reactions are digestive system disorders, narrowing of the airways. It can even cause life-threatening shock known as anaphylaxis in severe cases.
What Is It and How Often It Occurs
The incidence of food allergy is between 6% and 8% in children younger than 3 years old. In adults, this frequency is between 1% and 3%. Early diagnosis is very important in order to prevent the disease from progressing in young children.
Food Allergy or Food Intolerance?
It is very often confused with another reaction known as food intolerance. It is a reaction of the immune system to a substance called an allergen. They have symptoms that are undesirable and irritating, that interfere with daily activities. However, food intolerance is not a disease that affects the immune system. The reason is not known exactly. Its symptoms are not as serious as those of a food allergy.
As a result;
- It is a serious problem seen after ingestion of an allergic food.
- While it is seen between 6% and 8% in children younger than 3 years old, it is seen between 1% and 3% in adults.
- It is a condition that is often confused with food intolerance.
