Allergies Defined

Perhaps it's the biologist in me. Perhaps it's that I'm the mother of a kid with diagnosed food allergies. But I've discovered it's my pet peeve when people don't know what allergies even are. I think "allergy" becomes a catch-all term, and when people have any kind of reaction to a food, it's lumped into the "allergy" category. This confusion is especially frustrating when people give me unsolicited advice on what to do about these "allergies" when in fact they are referring to a different problem whatsoever. I'm dedicating this post to clarifying the issue.

So what is an allergy, anyway? An allergy is an immune reaction to something that the body shouldn't be fighting against. Our immune system should protect us from invaders in our body that can cause harm, such as viruses and bacteria, but sometimes gets confused and fights against pollen, pet dander, or food. I was surprised to discover that this immune reaction could take place in the colon, as in Siena's case. It can also show up as a skin rash or sneezing and itchy eyes. The allergen is the substance, usually a protein, that causes (or generates) the allergic reaction. Common food allergens include the "Top 8"--dairy, soy, wheat, egg, tree nuts, peanuts, fish, and shellfish-- but any food can potentially trigger an allergic response.

When I tell people that Siena has a wheat allergy, people often knowingly nod their head and say, "Oh yes, gluten." While it is possible to have an allergy to gluten, most people who have a so-called gluten allergy are really gluten "intolerant." An intolerance is an inability to digest a particular food. Lactose intolerance is the same situation, where the body lacks an enzyme necessary to break the food down. A wheat allergy is less restricting that gluten intolerance, because some grains that contain gluten are okay for wheat allergic people to eat, such as barley, and substitute better for wheat when baking. Here is a great article from WebMD, including the different symptoms, about the difference between food allergies and food intolerances: http://www.webmd.com/allergies/foods-allergy-intolerance.

Another category related to the gluten issue is Celiac's disease. It's a different thing altogether, which occurs when gluten in the digestive tract triggers an autoimmune response. This is when a person's immune system attacks their own body.

Enough of this technical stuff. The good news is that all of these conditions cease to be problematic once the offending food(s) is eliminated from the diet. It's not a cake walk. Determining what food(s) is responsible can be a frustrating process of trial and error-- especially when the allergic person is a baby who can't communicate symptoms! Avoiding ingredients is easier said than done, requiring a whole new vocabulary and avid ingredient-label reading. Eating out, once you're brave enough to try it, involves being that annoying person who causes the waiter to run back and talk to the cook three different times asking questions about how the food is prepared. But it can be done, and once you get the hang of it, it's really not that hard. In fact, as I've mentioned before in this blog, not only do I not feel deprived, but I've never eaten healthier or enjoyed food more than in this past year. Yes, it is very possible to eat well and allergy free!

Or to avoid food intolerances.

Or gluten free for Celiac's disease.

(I hope I helped to clarify the difference.)