Types of Food Allergy and Their Symptoms: Your Guide to Diagnosis and Prevention

Recently, many terms related to sensitivity to certain types of foods have emerged. So, what are the types of food allergies? What are the causes? And how can they be treated or best managed?

In a world that is becoming increasingly aware of health and nutrition, food allergy stands out as one of the most concerning health conditions. Whether you suffer from it personally or have a relative or friend who does, understanding food allergies in depth helps manage them effectively. In this comprehensive guide, we will review everything you need to know about food allergies in Saudi society—from their causes and symptoms to methods of diagnosis and treatment.

What is a food allergy?

It is an abnormal reaction of the immune system to certain types of food; the immune system mistakenly identifies some proteins in food as harmful substances, prompting it to release a series of antibodies and chemicals to fight them, causing symptoms ranging from mild to severe.

It is important to distinguish between food allergy and food intolerance. While food allergy involves an immune response, intolerance is not related to the immune system but usually results from a lack of certain digestive enzymes or sensitivity to food additives.

The immune mechanism of food allergy

When food allergy occurs, the immune system produces IgE antibodies against the allergenic food proteins. Upon consuming the allergenic food again, these antibodies recognize the proteins and release chemicals such as histamine, causing the allergic symptoms we know.

Causes and risk factors of food allergy

The exact causes of food allergy are still not completely understood, but researchers have identified several factors that may increase the risk:

Genetic factors
Genes play an important role in the likelihood of developing food allergies. If one parent suffers from any type of allergy, including food allergies, the risk of children developing them increases significantly.

Environmental factors
Some theories suggest that living in overly sterile environments may prevent the immune system from developing properly, increasing the likelihood of food allergies. Early or late exposure to certain foods may also influence the development of allergies.

Main risk factors

• Family history: Having relatives with asthma, eczema, or food allergies.
• Age: Food allergies are more common in infants and young children, but they can also occur at older ages.
• Other allergic conditions: People who are allergic to one food are at higher risk of being allergic to others.
• Asthma: Food allergies and asthma often coexist, and symptoms are more severe when they occur together.

Common symptoms of food allergy

Symptoms vary from person to person and may appear within minutes to two hours after consuming the allergenic food. They can affect multiple body systems:

Skin symptoms

• Rash and redness.
• Itching in the skin or mouth.
• Swelling of the lips, face, tongue, or throat.
• Eczema.

Digestive symptoms

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Abdominal pain and cramps.
• Diarrhea.

Respiratory symptoms
These can be the most dangerous and include:

• Runny or stuffy nose.
• Sneezing.
• Shortness of breath or wheezing.
• Coughing.

Severe symptoms: Anaphylaxis
In severe cases, food allergy can cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis, a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment. Symptoms include:

• Severe difficulty breathing.
• Rapid swelling of the throat.
• Sharp drop in blood pressure.
• Dizziness or fainting.
• Rapid pulse.
• Pale or bluish skin.

Allergenic foods

Although any food can cause allergies, a small group of foods is responsible for 90% of allergic reactions:

Milk allergy
Milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies in children, especially cow’s milk allergy. It is important to distinguish between milk allergy and lactose intolerance.

Egg allergy
Egg allergy is also common in children and usually improves with age. A person may be allergic only to egg whites, yolks, or both.

Nut allergy
The body may react to peanuts (technically legumes) and tree nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and cashews. Nut allergies usually last a lifetime and are rarely outgrown.

Fish and shellfish allergy
These allergies tend to last a lifetime and are more common in adults. A person may be allergic to specific types of fish or shellfish, or to all types.

Wheat allergy
Caused by a reaction to proteins in wheat. It is important to distinguish between wheat allergy and celiac disease (gluten intolerance).

Soy allergy
Soy allergy is more common in infants and children. Most children outgrow it as they get older.

Diagnosing food allergy

Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective management. If you suspect you or your child has a food allergy, it is important to consult a specialist doctor, which you can find through trusted medical platforms such as the Ivita Medical website.

Medical history and physical exam

The doctor will start by taking a detailed medical history, including symptoms, timing of onset, duration, and suspected foods. Family history of allergies will also be assessed.

Skin tests

In this test, a small amount of the suspected food extract is placed on the skin, then pricked with a small needle. If a red, swollen spot appears within 15–20 minutes, it may indicate an allergy.

Blood tests

Blood tests measure the amount of IgE antibodies in response to specific foods. These are useful especially when skin testing is not suitable.

Elimination diet

Your doctor may ask you to follow an elimination diet, where you stop eating the suspected foods for several weeks and then reintroduce them one by one while monitoring symptoms.

Oral food challenge

This is the gold standard for diagnosing food allergies. Conducted under strict medical supervision, the patient consumes gradually increasing amounts of the suspected food while monitoring reactions.

Treatment and management of food allergies

Currently, there is no complete cure for food allergies, but effective strategies exist for management and prevention of reactions:

Avoiding allergenic food

The primary way to deal with food allergies is to avoid the allergenic food completely. This requires:

• Carefully reading food labels.
• Asking about ingredients when eating out.
• Informing the restaurant of the allergy when ordering.
• Being cautious about cross-contamination in food preparation areas.

Medications

• Epinephrine: The main treatment for anaphylaxis.
• Antihistamines: Help relieve mild symptoms like itching and sneezing.
• Bronchodilators: Help relieve asthma symptoms linked to food allergies.

Future and experimental treatments

Promising therapies under research include:

• Immunotherapy: Gradual exposure to increasing doses of allergens.
• Laser therapy.
• Biological treatments targeting specific parts of the immune system.

Practical tips for living with food allergies in Saudi Arabia

Living with allergies in Saudi Arabia requires special awareness of local foods and eating habits:

In Saudi cuisine

• Many Saudi dishes contain nuts (like cashews in Kabsa).
• Saudi sweets often contain nuts and sesame.
• Eggs are frequently used in dips and sauces.

When eating out

• Inform your host in advance about your allergy.
• Ask in detail about ingredients.
• Choose restaurants that take allergy requests seriously.

In the Saudi market

• Read labels carefully, especially on imported products.
• Be cautious of products that may contain traces of allergens.
• Use available alternatives in Saudi markets, such as rice milk or almond milk instead of cow’s milk.

Specialized medical services for managing food allergies

With the growing awareness of food allergies in Saudi Arabia, many medical centers now provide specialized diagnostic and treatment services. Through the Ivita Medical platform, you can access:

• Consultations with allergy and immunology specialists.
• Personalized management programs through specialized nutritionists.
• Supportive medical products.
• Continuous monitoring for chronic cases.
• Some suitable products for allergy patients such as lactose-free dairy and allergy-friendly snacks.
• Clear labeling of allergenic ingredients when present.

Finally; Food allergy is a health condition that requires continuous awareness and attention, but it should not prevent you from living a normal and active life. With proper diagnosis, an effective management plan, and specialized medical support such as that available through the Evita Medical platform, people with food allergies can live safely and confidently.

If you suspect that you or a family member has a food allergy, do not hesitate to consult a specialist doctor for an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment plan. Awareness and proactivity are the keys to safe living.