As many as 32 million Americans live with food allergies. Food allergies appear to be increasing among children under the age of 18, that is 2 students in every classroom.
When a person with a food allergy eats the food, his or her immune system releases massive amounts of chemicals, including histamine. This causes the person to have one or more symptoms affecting the respiratory system, the stomach, the skin, and/or the cardiovascular system.
Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that comes on quickly and has the potential to become life-threatening. Anaphylaxis can occur not only from a food allergy, but also from things such as insect stings, medicines and latex.
Symptoms can occur within minutes after exposure to an allergen. However, it can take up to 2 hours for symptoms to occur after exposure.
Although food allergy desensitizations are being studied, these are not yet proven treatments. Strict avoidance is the only way to prevent an allergic reaction as sometimes even small amounts of the allergen can cause a reaction.
If you or someone you know is at risk of anaphylaxis, two epinephrine auto-injectable devices must be carried at all times.
911 should always be called with any anaphylactic reaction or if an epinephrine injection is given.
Information retrieved from:
https://www.foodallergyawareness.org/food-allergy-and-anaphylaxis/food-allergy-basics/