Some people's immune system reacts to certain products as poison, releasing histamine and other chemicals. Why do allergies occur? How can someone live with allergies? And how do allergies differ from food intolerances?
Dr. Natalie
Why do allergies occur?
It's an immune system malfunction that can happen in people of all ages, races, and genders. The main risk factors include heredity, hormonal malfunctions, and stress. There is also a hypothesis that excessive contact with chemicals and aggressive environmental exposure leads to food allergies. The most common allergens include milk, eggs, peanuts, honey, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. In general, more than 170 different foods can cause allergies.
Food allergies affect 32 million Americans, including nearly 6 million children.
How do allergies manifest themselves?
Each person's allergies are different, and the symptoms can vary in intensity. Most often, the body reacts to an encounter with an allergen in the following ways:
- Itching, swelling of the li...
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