You are allergic to sesame, peanut, cow’s milk … Be careful! Food allergens are not always easy to detect. They can find hidden in products that are not suspect.
The incidence of food allergies has doubled in five years: 6-7% of children and 2% of adults are now affected. The origin of this boom: the proliferation of very exotic allergenic foods (kiwi, sesame, nuts), the increase in consumption of industrial products, the decline of breastfeeding too early diversification of supply in the infant. Consult an allergist to perform skin tests in case of hives, tingling, or swelling of the lips or throat.
THE MOST COMMON ALLERGENS
Among the allergens most commonly found in children: cow’s milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts …), fish, shellfish, kiwi, wheat flour and sesame.
In adults, it is rather the fruit (hazelnut, apple, kiwi, avocado, banana, chestnut), but also vegetables (celery), fish and shellfish that are involved.
THE PROBLEM OF HIDDEN ALLERGENS
Identify the source of food allergies is not as easy as it seems. Indeed, the proliferation of industrial products increases the risk of contact with hidden allergens.
If you are allergic to peanuts: better be careful with the chili, egg rolls, marzipan, dried soups, frozen desserts, which also contain it.
If you are allergic to wheat: consume Carefully cube broth, breaded foods, some brands of baking powder and cornstarch, soups, powdered sugar, meats, some soy sauces, sauces and seasonings in general …
If you are allergic to eggs: careful, the egg can be used as a binder in foods such as sauces, soups, puddings, meatballs …
READ THE FOOD LABELS
The desensitization dermatologists unfortunately are not effective against food allergies. The only way to protect themselves today with a food allergy is to avoid contact with allergens in learning to read labels. European decree requires manufacturers to clearly state the following ingredients: nuts, peanuts, shellfish, fish, eggs, sesame, soy, cereals containing gluten, milk, celery and mustard.
AVOID INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS
Moreover, it is advisable to consume the simplest possible products: prefer products made house industrial products. Other interest in avoiding industrial products: Do not contact enhancers and preservatives (including sulfites).
For example, when you buy a slice of ham from your butcher, you can legitimately think that this ham contains no preservatives. However, buying in cellophane at the supermarket, you enter necessarily contacting conservatives who are very allergenic. Best avoided if you already have an allergy.
BEWARE OF CROSS ALLERGIES
Parallel to the boom of food allergies, cross-allergies also experience a significant increase. Why cross? An allergy is a reaction against a protein found in foods. However, a part of the chemical structure of this protein can be found in two products that are apparently different.
And one-third of people with allergies to pollens become allergic to certain fruits, while this cross-reactivity was previously rare. Cross allergies can be surprising: people allergic to birch pollen allergies develop hazelnut and apple, those allergic to latex may be allergic to kiwi, avocado, banana and chestnut. For more information, turn to your allergist.
YOU ARE VERY ALLERGIC AND YOU ARE EXPECTING A CHILD
If you are very allergic and want to prevent this risk in your child, it is desirable to breastfeed up to 6 months. Do not start him in the diversification of food before the age of 6 months. Expect her first birthday before giving kiwi, celery, fish, eggs, and wait until the age of 3 years before giving him nuts, hazelnuts, almonds and peanuts.
