2024-04-12 04:04:29
“Humans and eating” can be said to be almost indistinguishable. Some people eat from the time they wake up until they fall asleep. Now more than ever, the diversity of food allows people to choose food from many different nationalities. And there are many strange foods that most people don’t know that each type of food they eat may cause “Food allergy”
Food allergy is a condition in which the body’s immune system responds to protein in food. or ingredients of the food that you are allergic to Until causing various symptoms such as rashes, hives, vomiting, tightness in the chest, swollen face, swollen mouth, and difficulty breathing. In the past, food allergies could not be treated. Patients must avoid foods they are allergic to and use relief or rescue medication when they have a severe allergic reaction. But there is now a method that may help treat acute food allergies called oral immunotherapy, or OIT (a novel food allergy treatment). Suitable for people who have food allergies that risk their lives or make life difficult) that may be a solution for people with food allergies.
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Dr. Piyawut Krithapirom, specialist in allergies and immunology Chao Phraya Hospital explains that nowadays it is found that Thai people have more food allergies. The majority of foods that Thai children are allergic to are eggs, milk, wheat flour, soybeans or peanuts. As for adults, it is found that they are allergic to shellfish such as shrimp, crabs, shellfish, squid, or nuts. Many people may be allergic to a few foods. But there will be many people who have severe food allergies, such as swollen eyes, swollen mouth, and suffocation. and fainting These symptoms are considered quite severe symptoms. and may be life threatening
For an acute food allergic reaction, it is an allergic reaction to food that occurs within 2 hours immediately after eating. The patient may have a rash, hives, a swollen face, a swollen mouth, a recurrent red rash, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting. Stomach pain and fainting can occur. As for the non-acute type The patient will gradually Symptoms appear hours or days after eating, such as chronic rashes, abnormal bowel movements, etc.
Diagnosis and treatment steps
Dr. Piyawut also said that tests to diagnose acute food allergies can be done in several ways as follows:
- Skin prick test with food protein extract (skin prick test)
- Pricking the skin with real food (prick to prick test)
- Blood test (Specific IgE)
- Oral food challenge
Know how to treat food allergies with oral immunotherapy or OIT.
Oral immunotherapy, or OIT, is a new type of treatment for food allergies. Suitable for people who have severe food allergies. High allergy values are a risk to life. or make life difficult The treatment approach is to allow the patient to eat a very small amount of the food he or she is allergic to. That kind of thing continues every day. There are rules that must be strictly followed. To adjust the body’s immune system to become accustomed to that type of food, then gradually increase the amount given slowly. Some people may need to take it together with antihistamines. To prevent severe allergic reactions during treatment.
“After patients receive OIT treatment, they will begin to develop immunity to that type of food. And when eating that kind of food or accidentally eating it There will be fewer allergic reactions. Moreover, what is important is that OIT treatment may make the patient recover from food allergies faster,” Dr. Piyawut said.
Dr. Piyawut further said that treating food allergies using OIT has advantages:
1. Make a patient who is allergic to that type of food and accidentally eats that type of food. There may be few symptoms. or no symptoms at all
2. Patients who cannot recover from food allergies on their own. If treated with OIT, the allergic reaction may be cured faster. or increase the chance of recovering from allergies to that type of food
3. OIT treatment will improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family.
Groups that can be treated with OIT include:
- Patients who have difficulty avoiding food allergies
- Patients who frequently have allergic reactions to food allergies
- Patients who have not recovered from food allergies as they get older and patients with high levels of food allergy test results
“The process of treating acute food allergies using OIT begins with testing the patient by eating the food they are allergic to. To assess the amount of food that is safe to eat every day. After that, the patient will be given the prescribed amount of allergic food continuously. And make an appointment to test to increase the amount of food gradually every 2-4 weeks in order to adjust the immune system until the patient can eat the maximum amount of food according to the target. Patients will be closely cared for by specialized doctors and nurses who have experience in every step,” Dr. Piyawut said.
Advice for patients and families Observe symptoms after eating.
Dr. Piyawut concluded by saying that In general, Treating past food allergies Patients must avoid food they are allergic to. And the doctor will make an appointment to periodically check and evaluate. But at present Food allergies are treated with oral immunotherapy (OIT) to reduce the risk and severity of food allergic reactions. Helps stimulate patients to recover from food allergies faster. By directly adjusting the immune system
People who suspect they have food allergies You must observe the initial symptoms. If you have a rash, hives, swollen eyes, swollen mouth, or bloody mucus in your stool. If the symptoms are related to eating food Especially high-risk foods, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately. and in cases where food allergies are still present and have not been treated You should absolutely avoid food that you are allergic to. You should not try it yourself. Because it can be life-threatening. It is always recommended to read food labels. And if you have a history of severe allergic reactions, you should carry adrenaline injections with you and practice injecting correctly. When symptoms occur You can consult with Dr. Piyawut Krithapirom, a specialist in allergies and immunology. Chao Phraya Hospital
Reference: Chao Phraya Hospital ,Skin Test allergy testing program-Chao Phraya Hospital, American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology,
European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
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