Food allergies occur when there is an altered immune response. They can occur in three different ways: by ingestion of the food, by contact of the food with the skin, or by exposure to the food via the respiratory route.
There are many factors involved in the immunological tolerance of the food such as:
- genetic load
- the state of the intestine, since small alterations or inflammations in the intestinal wall can favor the passage of allergenic substances into the blood.
- age, with the most frequent occurrence during childhood
- cross-reactivity of the food with other pollens, mites or latex, since if an adult is allergic to pollens that have an allergen similar to a certain food, he/she may show allergy to this food.
Foods that cause allergies
In relation to dietary habits and geographical area of residence, there is a group of foods that are more involved in the development of allergy in people.
In Western countries, the first cause of allergy in childhood are milk and egg. In the adult Mediterranean population, peach and seafood are the main causes of allergy. In grassy areas, such as the center of the Iberian Peninsula, allergies to fresh fruits such as peaches, apples, cherries, kiwi, melon and nuts such as hazelnuts and walnuts occur.
In countries such as the USA and the UK, peanuts are the leading cause of food allergy due to their widespread consumption in different culinary presentations.
Are food allergies inherited?
Food allergies themselves are not inherited, what is inherited is the tendency to be allergic. For example, if a parent is allergic, the probability that his child will be allergic is 40%. He may become allergic to food or not, depending on the exposure he has to this food. When this child is older, he will be more likely to be allergic to inhalants such as pollens, mites, fungi and animals.
Can food allergies be cured?
Most food allergies manifest themselves throughout life, so the consumption of these foods should be avoided. However, food allergies that appear during the first year of life, such as milk and egg, may disappear with a strict diet that avoids these foods for a few years and then tolerance to these foods develops.