Summertime always seems like the perfect time for trying lots of different great foods. But for those who suffer from food allergies, continual vigilance about what they eat is a must.

A food allergy is a condition in which the immune system incorrectly identifies a food protein as a threat and attempts to protect the body against it by releasing chemicals into the blood. The release of these chemicals results in the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

An allergic reaction to food may begin with a tingling sensation, itching, or a metallic taste in the mouth. Other symptoms can include hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the mouth and throat area, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, a drop in blood pressure and loss of consciousness.

These symptoms may begin anywhere from several minutes to two hours after exposure to the allergen, but life-threatening reactions may get worse over a period of several hours.

Accord-ing to the Food Allergy and Anaphy-laxis Network, an estimated 12 million Americans suffer from food allergies, including more than 3 million children. About 3.6 million Americans are allergic to peanuts and/or tree nuts, and about 7.2 million are allergic to seafood.

While most people outgrow their food allergies, allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish can last a lifetime.

While food allergies can be treated, they can’t be cured with medication so the only sure way to avoid an allergic reaction is to avoid the food that causes it. Treatment of a food allergy reaction can take different forms, depending on the severity. Mild reactions may require only an antihistamine, while severe allergic reactions may require Epinephrine (the “EpiPen”), which is available by prescription.

If you think you’re allergic to a particular food, talk with your doctor before making significant changes to your diet. Keep a food diary for one to two weeks, noting what you eat, which symptoms you experience and how long after eating they occur. This information, combined with lab tests and a physical examination, will help your doctor determine which food, if any, is causing your symptoms.

Remember, you are what you eat, so eat well! 

n Lynda Metz is the director of community development at Bonner General Hospital. The information and statistics in this article were provided courtesy of The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. For more information, please visit www.foodallergy.org.