Here are a few common misconceptions when it comes to food allergies.
While it is certainly no walk in the park to suffer from any kind of allergy – particularly a food allergy – the truth is that people are very often misinformed about their disease. This incorrect information that is spread leads to an unnecessary amount of fear for those who have these sensitivities, creating an anxiety that does not need to be in a person’s head. May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, so now is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the breathing affliction that you have, as well as why awareness and caution is necessary, but does not need to take over your life.
Here are a few popular myths about food allergies:
- Allergies cannot be outgrown: Different studies have shown that it is in fact possible, though not always likely, that a child can outgrow a food allergy early on in their life. According to Food Allergy Research and Education, up to 20 percent of nut allergies can be outgrown in adolescence. A wheat allergy is the most commonly outgrown allergy, as children typically lose it by age three.
- Plain water will get rid of allergens: Simply washing your hands or a surface with regular water is not enough to get rid of the allergen substance. You must also use soap to prevent the materials from causing any issues.
- Smelling peanuts cannot trigger a reaction: If you have a peanut allergy, the substance must actually be ingested for you to have a severe reaction. Studies have shown that anaphylaxis cannot be triggered by simply smelling the peanuts, because the aroma comes from a chemical compound in the peanuts that cannot produce an attack.
If you suffer from any airborne allergies, make sure that you keep the air in your house clean by investing in a home air purifier from US Air Purifiers Direct 2U.