Introduction

Comprehensive Introduction to Our Blog:

As four students coming from the different backgrounds of psychology, anthropology, food systems and nutrition, we linked our interests and found a commonality regarding food allergies and how they affect humans biologically, socially, and culturally. Each blogger has chosen a specific topic regarding food allergies and has done expansive research to bring about informative knowledge and awareness of food allergies. In this blog you will see four topic areas of food allergies including: an overview of allergies, allergies and their biological factors, the social aspects of allergies, and allergies cross-culturally. Read on to find a preview of each.

What Are Food Allergies?: An Overview

As food allergies become more common, it becomes more important to understand what a food allergy is, what the symptoms may be, and the appropriate treatment that should follow an allergic reaction. Food allergies are commonly defined as “an immune system response when the body mistakes a particular food as a harmful substance” (Keller). Within this defense mechanism, specific antibodies are produced against a food allergen. Upon the ingestion of the food allergen, antibodies will be released causing the release of several chemicals such as histamine (Keller). Following the release of histamine, multitude of symptoms may be experienced. These symptoms may include, but are not limited to: rashes, itchiness, hives, swelling, or inability to breathe. While some of these symptoms will subside, others require treatment. Treatment, which includes antihistamines and epinephrine auto-injectors may be provided by an allergist upon correct diagnosis of food allergies through diagnostic techniques such as blood and skin prick tests, oral food challenges, and trial elimination diets. Therefore, upon diagnosis, food allergies may be managed by identifying the food allergen, determining the proper treatment, and following precautionary measures.

Although easily managed, food allergies impact both the individuals and their families. Oftentimes, the involvement of families is crucial to the avoidance of the food allergen. Families of these individuals often need to learn more than the biology behind food allergies, but also of the treatments that are available, the precautions that need to be made, the “misleading-nature” of food labels, and should also determine the impact that it may have on their social life. Ultimately, families need to make several changes to their eating habits and grocery-store habits, in order to prevent fatal reactions. Therefore, when my brother was diagnosed with food allergies, learning about food allergies and the ways in which to prevent reactions became important to me.

As a junior in high school, I started to become interested in the topic of food allergies. At the time, my brother was experiencing many issues that were undiagnosed for the longest time. He went for multiple types of testing, and only went for food allergy testing after being suggested by his primary care doctor. Once diagnosed with food allergies, his diet became very restricted, making him feel even more left out while at college or at family events.

As I began to see my brother struggle with his diagnosis, I began to become intrigued by the concept of food allergies. I was fascinated by the way in which food allergies could suddenly appear out of nothing, and how the body reacted upon the ingestion of a food allergen. I was also intrigued by the way in which the body reacted, why these reactions occurred, and the way in which food allergies were treated. As I began to go grocery shopping with my mom for “safe” foods, I recognized how little regulation was done by the FDA in terms of food labeling, and how many products were derived from his food allergens (“Food Allergy Resources”). I also began to realize after multiple conversations with dietitians, how little was known about food allergens.

Therefore, within my blog, I hope to raise awareness about food allergies so that serious reactions can be prevented. Within my blog, I’ve related my own personal experiences to describe what food allergies are and to point out the sources of food allergies, common symptoms of food allergies, and diagnostic tools used to confirm a food allergy. I have also explained different treatments available for food allergies based on the reaction’s severity, and different clinical trials and therapeutic approaches that have been initiated. Therefore, within this blog, I hope to raise awareness so that food allergies can be identified, prevented, and treated properly to prevent adverse situations.

Food Allergies and The Human Body

The biology and chemistry of food allergies can be confusing to many people, as there are many complex interactions happening within the body, but the body’s process of dealing with them is actually quite incredible. On the most basic level, the body is responding to an antigen (or foreign substance) that the body identifies as harmful, despite perhaps being harmless. A response to a food allergy is carried out by your immune system, the part of the body that protects you from disease and injury. Understanding the process happening within your body is important to how medicine works and how you can protect yourself from allergic reactions. This blog will be discussing the biological response to food allergies, and the way in which treatments work within your body, as well as what further treatment research is being done and how it could possibly work.

Food Allergies and Social Organization

Often times medical disorders have stigma surrounding them.  As a society, we have learned to stay away from those who are sick to ensure our own health.  We have developed an innate aversion to anyone who could potentially threaten our well being.   This may play into how food allergies are perceived socially.  The social isolation felt by people suffering from food allergies is only magnified by the central nature of food in social gatherings.  In addition, other social factors, such as, socioeconomic status can play a role in the development and treatment of food allergies.  Research shows that people from families with a higher socioeconomic status are at a higher risk for developing food allergies (ACAAI).  This seems counterintuitive, why could this be?  Are there other ways socioeconomic status can affect food allergies?  Popular culture also seems to play a role in how the general population perceives food allergies.  How do movies and television shows play add to the perpetuation of misconceptions about food allergies? This blog aims to look at how all of these social factors affect how food allergies are experienced, treated, and perceived.   

Food Allergies Cross-Culturally

Due to food allergies being so common, affecting up to 15 million Americans and 1 in 13 children (FARE, 2014), learning about food allergies in the United States is fairly easy. There is a plethora of information on what they are, what they do and the populations they target. But what about the rest of the world? Are peanuts as dangerous to a young child in Africa as they are here? What about South America or Europe? Knowing how different allergies affect people beyond our own country is an important issue to be familiar with. The more we know about food allergies on a global and cultural scale, the better we can manage them. This is especially true since food allergies have been on the rise for more than a decade (FARE, 2014). Understanding the patterns of these potentially toxic foods among different cultures is very interesting. This blog will focus on the trends of different food allergies among children, and adults cross-culturally.

It is clear from this research that food allergies have a powerful effect on the human body and the human experience from all walks of life. Being aware of these effects is highly important whether it’s to protect yourself, or one of the 15 million other people suffering from food allergies. Either way, this is an issue surrounding our number one basic biological need - to eat, and should be approached seriously. We hope you take a walk through our blog and further educate yourself about food allergies!

Sources:

American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). "Socioeconomic status linked to childhood peanut allergy." ScienceDaily, 9 November 2012. <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/11/121109083746.htm>

Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE). (2014). Facts and Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.foodallergy.org/facts-and-stats.

"Food Allergy Resources." Food Allergen Labeling Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA). May 2013. Web. 9 Nov. 2014. <http://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/resourcespre.php?id=50>

Keller, Maura. "Food Intolerances vs. Food Allergies." Today's Dietitian 13.10: 52. Web. <http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/100111p52.shtml>

"What Is Food Allergy?." National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease. Web. 9 Oct. 2014. <http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/foodA