During the Chuseok holiday, if symptoms such as itching and swelling of the skin occur within 2 minutes after eating traditional holiday foods that are not usually consumed, it is necessary to suspect an allergy.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 17th, food allergy refers to a hypersensitive reaction of the body's immune system to proteins in food, judging them as harmful. Most proteins in food are broken down during cooking or digestion. However, some proteins that are not broken down and absorbed into the body cause allergies.
Allergic reactions occur even when a small amount of the allergenic substance is eaten or swallowed. 90% of food allergies are caused by eggs, milk, wheat, soybeans, peanuts, chestnuts, shellfish, and fish. In addition, strawberries, bananas, melons, and chili peppers can also trigger allergic reactions.
Allergic reactions appear within 2 minutes after consuming the allergenic food. Main symptoms include swelling of the lips and around the mouth, red, itchy, and swollen hives, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, runny nose, and tears.
In rare cases, anaphylactic shock can occur. Anaphylaxis refers to a systemic reaction where skin rashes appear with itching, swelling of the throat and tongue causing difficulty breathing, lowered blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. If these symptoms occur, immediate visit to the emergency room is necessary.
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