A Dallas Cowboys player suffered ‘frightening’ food allergy. How to know if you have one
Sometimes you don’t know you have an allergy until you react to it. And at that point, it’s sometimes too late.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Food allergy is an immune system reaction that happens soon after eating a certain food. Even a tiny amount of the allergy-causing food can trigger symptoms such as digestive problems, hives or swollen airways.”
That was the case in Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith’s recent reaction to a dairy allergy, causing him to miss a preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
After drinking a glass of milk, he experienced swollen airways. This raised the question of how you know if you have a food allergy.
Most common food allergies
“Food allergy affects an estimated 8% of children under age 5 and up to 4% of adults,” according to Mayo Clinic. Some children, however, can also outgrow their allergies.
The U.S. Food and Drug Association recognizes these nine food groups as the most common allergens:
Milk
Eggs
Fish (e.g., bass, flounder, cod)
Crustacean shellfish (e.g., crab, lobster, shrimp)
Tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans)
Peanuts
Wheat
Soybeans
Sesame
How to know if you are having an allergic reaction
First, Mayo Clinic deciphers between a food allergy and a food intolerance. Food allergies affect the immune system. A food intolerance affects your digestive system. The two are often confused because they have similar symptoms.
However, with a food intolerance, you may still be able to consume small bits of the offending food without trouble. “For example, if you have lactose intolerance, you may be able to drink lactose-free milk or take lactase enzyme pills (Lactaid) to aid digestion,” according to Mayo Clinic.
To know if you are experiencing an allergic reaction, you may have the following symptoms a few minutes or up to two hours after you eat the offending food:
Tingling or itching in the mouth.
Hives, itching or eczema.
Swelling of the lips, face, tongue, and throat or other parts of the body.
Wheezing, nasal congestion or trouble breathing.
Belly pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.
Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting.
While not all allergies are severe, some can be life-threatening. It’s important to seek medical attention if you are experiencing difficulty breathing, a severe drop in blood pressure, rapid pulse, or dizziness.
How to get tested and treated for food allergies
For minor reactions, you can take an antihistamine (prescribed or over-the-counter) to reduce symptoms. If you are having a major reaction, you either need an EpiPen injection or a trip to the emergency room.
According to the Mayo Clinic, your doctor will try a plethora of options to test out possible allergens:
Talking about your symptoms, family history and a physical examination.
Skin prick test on arm or back: This test allows doctors to prick skin with possible offending food samples. If you are allergic, your skin will develop a red bump or reaction.
Blood tests can detect an “allergy-related antibody known as immunoglobulin E (IgE).”
Elimination diet: cutting out certain foods at different times to determine linking symptoms with specific foods.
Oral food challenge: consuming possible offending food in a doctor’s office little by little to determine reactions.