### Assalam o Alaikum I hope you all are doing great by the grace of Allah Almighty. I'm fine too. Today I am going to take part in the contest that is organized by @sahmie in Healthy steem community.

👉 How can someone differentiate between a food allergy and a food intolerance?

| ----| ### Food Allergy: A food allergy is an immune system response to a food protein that the body mistakenly identifies as harmful. Symptoms usually appear within minutes to a few hours such as hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, itching or tingling in the mouth, difficulty breathing or wheezing, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, Anaphylaxis. It will be diagnosis by medical tests like Skin prick test, blood test and oral food challenges. They strict avoidance of the allergenic food. Carrying an epinephrine auto-injector for emergency case. Regular consultation with allergist or immunologist.
### Food Intolerance A food intolerance involves difficulty digesting certain foods and is not related to immune system. Symptoms can appear after hours to days after consuming food such as Bloating, Gas, Diarrhea, Abdominal pain or cramping, Nausea, Headaches, Fatigue. Removing suspected foods from the diet. Keep record of foods eaten. Hydrogen breath tests for lactose intolerance, enzyme deficiency test. Reducing or avoiding intake of the problematic food. Working with the dietitian or nutritionists to ensure nutritional balance.

👉 Has the increase in food allergies made you more cautious about trying new foods?

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The increasing prevalence of food allergies has indeed made many people more cautious about trying new foods. With more information available about food allergies, people are more aware of the potential risks with trying new foods. This has made people more vigilant about checking ingredients lists. Restaurant and food service providers are increasingly providing detailed information. People tend to avoid new foods that could pose a risk. Seeing others manage food allergies or hearing about allergic reaction can influence people to be more careful. The potential severity of allergic reaction, including life threatening anaphylaxis makes the risks significant. Carrying emergency medication like epinephrine auto-injector. Food allergies can develop at any age and reaction can be unpredictable. We can also highlight the importance of education proper labeling and support for those dealing with food allergies.

👉 How do food allergies affect social life and dining out?

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Food allergies can significantly impact social life and dining out. People with food allergies often experience anxiety about potential exposure to allergen. Constantly having to explain their condition to friends and family lead to feelings of embarrassment. Friends and family might be hesitant to invite them over for meals and events. Explaining food allergies to a new partner can be challenging and may affect romantic relationship. People with food allergies often have limited restaurant option. Even in allergy-aware restaurant menu choices can be significantly restricted. Diners with allergies often need to have detailed conversation with waitstaff and chefs. Travelling can be particularly challenging due to unfamiliar food environment. Participating in group activities like cooking classes and communal meals can be difficult. ![pexels-nadia-russu-515190656-22027195.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbwhnvRHvdFjnBuMurwc8XF4q3iF9pWuW7zjHfFpf1dfW/pexels-nadia-russu-515190656-22027195.jpg)[source](https://www.pexels.com/photo/coffee-with-wafer-on-table-with-bouquet-of-tulips-22027195/)

👉 What are some common misconceptions about food allergies that you've come across?

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Food allergies are often misunderstood leading to various misconception. People often confuse food allergies with food intolerances. Some believe that ingesting small amounts of an allergen won't trigger a reaction. It's commonly believed that children will outgrow their food allergies. Many people think food allergies are not serious and just cause mild discomfort. People often think that food allergies only develop in childhood. Some people thought that allergic reaction occur immediately after consuming an allergen food. Allergy tests are infallible. ![pexels-kubra-dogu-80605500-11399644.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmSb1RM4Pet6fvnxK8xC3UfogaSCWSvaWPFaNXAwjnV9iW/pexels-kubra-dogu-80605500-11399644.jpg)[source](https://www.pexels.com/photo/macarons-on-a-plate-11399644/)

👉 What are some emergency steps to take if someone experiences a severe allergic reaction to food?

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If someone is experiencing a severe allergic reaction to food it is essential to act quickly and efficiently. Look for sign such as hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat difficulty breathing, wheezing chest tightness, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness or loss of consciousness. If a person has an epinephrine auto-injector use it immediately. Hold the injector in place for about 10 seconds after the injection. If symptoms do not improve within 5 to 15 minutes and a second dose is available, administer it. If a person is feeling faint or weak we have them to lie down with their legs elevated to help maintain blood flow. Ensure their airway is open . Do not give anything by mouth if a person id having difficulty breathing. If a person loses consciousness and stops breathing, begin CPR. The person should be taken to the emergency room for further monitoring. ### Thank you for reading my post. I would invite three of my friends to take part in this contest. @jannat12 @sahar78 @mateenfatima Regards @alinaasim5