Food allergies are no laugh matter.  A food allergy affects individuals on different levels
and can be fatal.  A food allergy is something that needs to be understood, addressed, and
managed.  Food allergies can be a deadly matter.

An individual can have a food allergy to a variety of different foods.  The most common
food allergies come from dairy products, eggs, nuts, and shellfish.  When these foods are
ingested or even come in contact with the body, they can cause allergic reactions.  The
allergic reactions of a food allergy can be minimized, but can attack an individual when
they least expect it.

The symptoms of a food allergy can vary from individual to individual.  The severity of
symptoms of a food allergy also depends on the extent to which an individual has been
exposed to a certain food.  In some cases individuals have been known to have a food
allergy to even just the aroma of the food. Peanut butter is a classic case.  The smell of
peanut butter and nuts can set some individuals into anaphylactic shock. 

Typical symptoms of a food allergy include:  gas, bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, hives,
sneezing, and wheezing.  An individual can go into a state of anaphylactic shock in the
case of a severe food allergy.  This type of shock causes their air passages to close and
body to parts to swell such as their lips and face. 

This type of a reaction caused by a food allergy can be very distressing.  It can also be
very deadly.  Therefore, it is important that individuals that have a known food allergy
carry and epinephrine shot with them at all times.  An epinephrine shot will relieve an
anaphylactic shock episode by pumping epinephrine into the body. 

It is important to read labels carefully if you have a food allergy.  You can easily avoid
eggs, nuts, shellfish, and dairy products.  The tricky part comes when these ingredients
are hidden in different food products.  For example, food that is cooked in peanut oil can
evoke an allergic reaction.  Therefore, it is necessary to ask restaurants what ingredients
they use in their cooking processes.

A food allergy is a common affliction that can be minimized by taking the right
precautions.  Understand the elements of what you are putting into your mouth and you
should be able to avoid an allergic reaction.

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