{"id":3545,"date":"2019-08-22T05:36:31","date_gmt":"2019-08-22T05:36:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/what-is-a-food-allergy\/"},"modified":"2021-02-22T11:23:33","modified_gmt":"2021-02-22T16:23:33","slug":"what-is-a-food-allergy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/what-is-a-food-allergy\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Food Allergy?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"3545\" class=\"elementor elementor-3545 elementor-580\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3c6c7f39 elementor-section-full_width mep3col elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3c6c7f39\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-25cd671c elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-phone\" data-id=\"25cd671c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-526f7d2 sidenav elementor-nav-menu--dropdown-tablet elementor-nav-menu__text-align-aside elementor-nav-menu--toggle elementor-nav-menu--burger elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-628 elementor-widget-nav-menu\" data-id=\"526f7d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;layout&quot;:&quot;vertical&quot;,&quot;submenu_icon&quot;:{&quot;value&quot;:&quot;fas fa-caret-down&quot;,&quot;library&quot;:&quot;fa-solid&quot;},&quot;toggle&quot;:&quot;burger&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"nav-menu.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<nav aria-label=\"Menu\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu--main elementor-nav-menu__container elementor-nav-menu--layout-vertical e--pointer-underline e--animation-fade\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-1-526f7d2\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu sm-vertical\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-6126\"><a class=\"elementor-item\"><span class=\"sidenavtitle\">INFO ALLERGIES<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6127\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/what-is-a-food-allergy\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">What is a Food Allergy?<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6128\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/symptoms\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">Symptoms<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-6129\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">9 Priority Allergens<\/a>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu elementor-nav-menu--dropdown\">\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6130\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/peanuts\/\" class=\"elementor-sub-item\">Peanuts<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6131\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/wheat\/\" class=\"elementor-sub-item\">Wheat or Triticale<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6132\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/milk\/\" class=\"elementor-sub-item\">Milk<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6133\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/mustard\/\" class=\"elementor-sub-item\">Mustard<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6134\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/tree-nuts\/\" class=\"elementor-sub-item\">Tree Nuts<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6135\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/eggs\/\" class=\"elementor-sub-item\">Eggs<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6136\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/fish-crustaceans-and-molluscs\/\" class=\"elementor-sub-item\">Fish, Crustaceans and Molluscs<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6137\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/sesame\/\" class=\"elementor-sub-item\">Sesame<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6138\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/soybeans\/\" class=\"elementor-sub-item\">Soybeans<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6139\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/finding-hidden-allergens\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">Finding Hidden Allergens<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6140\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/other-allergens\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">Other Allergens and Triggers<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6141\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/food-sensitivities-and-intolerances-2\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">Food Sensitivities and Intolerances<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6142\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/at-risk-individuals\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">At Risk Individuals<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6143\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/autoinjectors\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">Auto-injectors<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6144\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/statistics\/\" class=\"elementor-item\">Statistics<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-toggle\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Menu Toggle\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"elementor-menu-toggle__icon--open eicon-menu-bar\"><\/i><i aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"presentation\" class=\"elementor-menu-toggle__icon--close eicon-close\"><\/i>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<nav class=\"elementor-nav-menu--dropdown elementor-nav-menu__container\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul id=\"menu-2-526f7d2\" class=\"elementor-nav-menu sm-vertical\"><li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-6126\"><a class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\"><span class=\"sidenavtitle\">INFO ALLERGIES<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6127\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/what-is-a-food-allergy\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">What is a Food Allergy?<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6128\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/symptoms\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Symptoms<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-6129\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">9 Priority Allergens<\/a>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu elementor-nav-menu--dropdown\">\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6130\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/peanuts\/\" class=\"elementor-sub-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Peanuts<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6131\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/wheat\/\" class=\"elementor-sub-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Wheat or Triticale<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6132\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/milk\/\" class=\"elementor-sub-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Milk<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6133\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/mustard\/\" class=\"elementor-sub-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Mustard<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6134\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/tree-nuts\/\" class=\"elementor-sub-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Tree Nuts<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6135\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/eggs\/\" class=\"elementor-sub-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Eggs<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6136\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/fish-crustaceans-and-molluscs\/\" class=\"elementor-sub-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Fish, Crustaceans and Molluscs<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6137\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/sesame\/\" class=\"elementor-sub-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Sesame<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6138\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/9-priority-allergens\/soybeans\/\" class=\"elementor-sub-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Soybeans<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6139\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/finding-hidden-allergens\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Finding Hidden Allergens<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6140\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/other-allergens\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Other Allergens and Triggers<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6141\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/food-sensitivities-and-intolerances-2\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Food Sensitivities and Intolerances<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6142\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/at-risk-individuals\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">At Risk Individuals<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6143\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/autoinjectors\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Auto-injectors<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6144\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/statistics\/\" class=\"elementor-item\" tabindex=\"-1\">Statistics<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t<\/nav>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4fd046fd\" data-id=\"4fd046fd\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7a51595c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7a51595c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What is a Food Allergy?<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff57d61 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ff57d61\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Food allergy describes an abnormal or exaggerated immune system response to a food or substance in a food. Although the allergen is harmless to most people, the allergic individual will have a reaction when the food in question is consumed.<\/p><h2>IgE-mediated allergies<\/h2><p>The immune system produces several substances that help protect the body, including IgE antibodies. These antibodies are involved in immediate and potentially anaphylactic allergic reactions (severe allergic reactions). When these antibodies come into contact with the food allergen, they can trigger excessive secretion of a substance called histamine, a substance whose inflammatory properties contribute to numerous allergic symptoms. These symptoms will vary from one person to another.<\/p><p>Once a potentially severe reaction is triggered a dose of epinephrine is recommended as soon as possible. This medication works to halt or slow down the cascade of potentially fatal symptoms. People at risk for anaphylaxis should always have their auto-injector handy, as reactions are unpredictable.<\/p><h2>Non IgE-mediated allergies<\/h2><p>Some people live with other types of food allergies, including allergies not induced by IgE. Symptoms of non IgE-mediated allergies are usually localized in the digestive system and have a slower onset, from a few hours to days following ingestion of the offending food. Symptoms can include projectile vomiting or abnormal stooling patterns (i.e. bloody stool, persistent diarrhea).<\/p><p>Non-IgE mediated allergies include conditions such as food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), allergic proctocolitis, food protein-induced enteropathy, and celiac disease. Each of these affects the digestive system, but are not considered immune system reactions. In some cases, non IgE-mediated conditions may affect the skin (e.g. allergic contact dermatitis).<\/p><h2>Living with dietary restrictions<\/h2><p>Regardless of the allergic condition, the affected person must avoid consuming the food that triggers the allergic reaction. Even trace amounts of the allergen can provoke symptoms, so strict avoidance is recommended.<\/p><p>Living with dietary restrictions can be very challenging, considering the prevalence of processed and prepared foods which often contain a long list of ingredients. The allergic individual should read all nutrition labels carefully in order to identify the presence of an allergen. In addition, products labelled as &#8220;may contain&#8230;&#8221;, should be avoided.<\/p><p>Allergic individuals should also avoid cross-contact between foods. This is when an allergen is inadvertently transferred from one food to another, by way of a contaminated surface. Examples of risk for cross contact can include sharing contaminated surfaces (dishes, counters, plates, dishcloths and hands). Several precautions must be taken when purchasing and preparing meals for allergic individuals.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-66b8691\" data-id=\"66b8691\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9647e9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d9647e9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/allergie-quebec_qu-est-ce-qu-une-allergie-alimentaire.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1612\" alt=\"Qu&#039;est-ce qu&#039;une allergie alimentaire?\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d5f86b0 rightnav elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d5f86b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong>SUGGESTED READING:<\/strong>\n<div id=\"u374\" class=\"ax_default box_1\" data-label=\"bouton-soumettre\">\n<div id=\"u374_text\" class=\"text \">\n<p id=\"cache20\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/food-allergies-and-adolescence-play-it-cool-while-playing-it-safe\/\"><span id=\"cache21\">Food Allergies and Adolescence \u2013 Play it cool while playing it safe<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"u375\" class=\"ax_default materialicons\">\n<div id=\"u375_div\" class=\"\">\n<div id=\"u377\" class=\"ax_default box_1 mouseOver\" data-label=\"bouton-soumettre\">\n<div id=\"u377_text\" class=\"text \">\n<p id=\"cache18\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/anxiety-and-food-allergies-what-we-know-and-what-can-help\/\"><span id=\"cache19\">Anxiety and Food Allergies: What We Know and What Can Help<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"u378\" class=\"ax_default materialicons\">\n<div id=\"u378_div\" class=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/recipe-for-green-bean-salad\/\">Recipe for Green Bean Salad<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is a Food Allergy? Food allergy describes an abnormal or exaggerated immune system response to a food or substance &#8230; <a title=\"What is a Food Allergy?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/what-is-a-food-allergy\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about What is a Food Allergy?\">Lire plus<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-3545","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","5":"category-info-allergies","6":"infinite-scroll-item","7":"no-featured-image-padding"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3545","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3545"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3545\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/allergies-alimentaires.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}