Posted: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 12:00 am
If you havent had a meal of shrimp and then awakened with your skin on fire, or had a glass of milk and an hour later found yourself with a horrible stomachache, count yourself lucky. Millions of Americans arent so fortunate. They suffer from food allergies.
The reaction can range from minor skin rashes to life-threatening anaphylactic shock.
The mechanism for food allergies is the same as for environmental allergies: The immune system mistakes something you eat for a dangerous invader and attacks. In the confusion, the antibodies attack the body, too.
Unlike environmental allergies pollen, dust and so forth theres no cure or even relief for food allergies.
Once you identify something that makes you sick, the remedy is simple: Dont eat it. "You cant take a pill and then go out and have a shrimp dinner," said Dr. H. James Wedner, professor of medicine at Washington University School of Medicine.
But often, you dont know that the food culprit is in what you are eating. Highly allergic people can get reactions even from smelling certain foods, doctors say.
You can develop new allergies at any age. As your body changes, so will its idiosyncrasies. A doctors diagnosis, a skin-prick test, a personal history and a family history can help you pinpoint your allergies.
Food allergies often get the blame when food intolerance is the problem. Intolerance refers to when the body doesnt properly process food. Thats why doctors stress getting tested by an allergist.
Snack attack challenge
Whats your snack IQ? Now through Friday, parents and kids can find how by filling out a quiz at www.organicvalley.coop/snackquiz. Five hundred winners will be drawn from those taking the quiz to receive a free insulated backpack.
Among healthy snacks offered by Organic Valley are "Stringles" string cheese in flavors like organic cheddar cheese and colby jack.
Marketbasket
Downtown Farmers Market, Saturdays through October, 8 a.m. to noon, Regions Bank parking lot.
Crossroads Farmers Market, Thursdays through October, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., upper level Sears parking lot, Crossroads Center.
Kimball Ridge Farmers Market, Tuesdays through October, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., parking lot behind Covenant Cancer Treatment Center off Kimball and Ridgeway avenues.
Black Hawk Farmers Market, Wednesdays, 2 to 5 p.m., Earl May parking lot, 2501 Melrose Drive.
Cedar Falls Farmers Market, Saturdays through October, 8:30 a.m. to noon, West Third Street between Clay and Franklin streets, near Overman Park.
M.A.P.L.E.S. Neighborhood Market,Thursdays through Oct. 13, 2 to 5 p.m., St. Pauls United Methodist Church, 207 W. Louise St.
Evansdale Market, Wednesdays through Oct. 26, 2 to 5 p.m., 3520 Lafayette Road, Ledermans clothing store parking lot.