According to the Australian Institute of Food Safety, around 2 per cent of adults, up to 8 per cent of children up to five years old and 10 per cent of infants in Australia are living with a food allergy.

If you or a loved one is affected and you’re keen to find out more about food allergies and intolerances, read on for our informative article.

We’ll outline the essential information, including food allergy types, signs and triggers, and show you how you can help yourself or someone close to you manage allergies.

Once you’ve read our article, you’ll feel more confident about day-to-day life with a food allergy or intolerance.

What is the difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance?

A food allergy is when your immune system reacts to an allergen (an ingredient that usually does not cause any harm) contained in food. This results in an immune reaction, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

Symptoms of food intolerance may be similar, but intolerance does not involve the immune system and does not cause a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis.

Types of food allergy

The most common food allergies are:

• Cow’s milk
• Eggs
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, pecans, cashews)
• Sesame
• Soy
• Fish
• Shellfish (e.g., oyster, lobster, crab, shrimps)
• Wheat

Food allergies symptoms

Mild to moderate food allergy symptoms may include:

• Swelling around the eyes, lips or anywhere on the face
• Hives on the skin
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting

Severe food allergy symptoms (anaphylaxis) may include any number of the following:

• Difficulty breathing
• Noisy breathing
• Swelling of the tongue
• Swelling or a feeling of restriction in the throat
• Difficulty talking or a hoarse voice
• Wheeziness
• Persistent cough
• Dizziness
• Collapse
• Pallor and floppiness in young children

Food allergy triggers

Some circumstances can trigger food allergy symptoms or make allergic reactions worse.

These include:

• How much you have eaten
• What form of food you have eaten, as cooked food tends to be tolerated better
• Eating the food on its own rather than combining it with other foods
• Alcohol consumption
• Exercising close to the time when you consume the allergen
• Experiencing asthma
• Feeling unwell
• Menstruation

Food allergy diagnosis

If you suspect you have a food allergy, the first step is to consult your GP.

They may refer you to an allergy specialist or clinical immunologist who can run a food allergies test to find the allergen that is affecting you.

Or you may be advised to follow an elimination diet to find out what’s causing your allergy.

Treatment for food allergies

Once you’ve been diagnosed with a food allergy, your care should be managed by an allergy specialist or clinical immunologist.

You will be advised to avoid the foods that you are allergic to. This will mean you will need to:

• Take care when reading food labels and ensure that you understand them.
• Tell restaurant staff that you have an allergy when eating out.
• Be careful not to cross-contaminate food when preparing it.
• Carry your adrenaline autoinjector and ASCIA (Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy) Action Plan for Anaphylaxis with you all the time and understand what to do if you show signs of a severe allergic reaction.

How else can I manage my food allergies or help an affected loved one?

Being aware of the triggers for allergic reactions to food and allergy symptoms is really important.

It’s also advisable to let people around you know that you are living with an allergy. And, advise teachers, colleagues, relatives or friends what to do if you or a loved one has a severe allergic reaction.

Many people with allergies find it reassuring to wear a medic alert wristband that clearly states what type of allergy they have.

Customised medical ID bracelets can also contain useful information, such as who to contact in an emergency and details of any medication taken.

Silicone wristbands are ideal if you are living with allergies, as they are comfortable, hardwearing and hypoallergenic. Have one personalised with your details and know that your medical ID will speak on your behalf in the event of a medical emergency, getting you the right treatment in a timely manner.

Or if necklaces are more your style, have a pendant engraved with details of your allergy and wear it with pride!

Manage your allergy the easy way with a medical alert wristband

Discovering that you or a loved one has an allergy doesn’t mean that you have to live a restricted life.

As long as you take sensible precautions and follow the advice of your healthcare professional, you should be able to live a full and active life.

And wearing med alerts denoting your allergy will make you feel even more confident about living your best life.

Check out our range of medical IDs, all designed to show information about your allergy at a glance. Knowing that vital medical details are easily accessible in an emergency will give you the peace of mind to live the life you deserve.