Seniors are already at a higher risk for various illnesses and conditions, and a severe allergy may seem too hard to handle. Allergies should not be ignored, but they also do not have to run your life if you know what to look for and have a team of people to help. Assisted living facilities understand how allergies affect seniors and might be the best option for you to tackle your allergy problem.
Food Allergies: The Basics
Food allergies aren’t just a dietary inconvenience. Allergies are medical conditions that occur when the body’s immune system erroneously identifies specific food proteins as harmful, leading to an adverse reaction. Even coming into contact with a tiny amount of a food allergen is enough to risk the lives of some people with severe allergies.
Importantly, food intolerances are not food allergies. To clarify, food intolerances result from the body’s inability to digest certain substances, leading to discomfort that does not involve the immune system. Someone with a food intolerance may not enjoy the aftermath of eating certain foods, but it rarely is a serious concern.
Unique Aspects of Senior Food Allergens
Our bodies’ immune systems and digestive processes can change a lot as we age. It is possible for seniors to experience the late onset of food allergies or have pre-existing allergies heightened in severity. Additionally, since seniors often have multiple health conditions, an allergic reaction can exacerbate existing issues and risk complications.
Allergy medications can also run the risk of negative interactions with prescription medications that seniors need to live a healthy life. The more medications someone takes daily, the harder it becomes to add a new prescription into the mix.
Moreover, the signs of an allergic reaction may be misinterpreted as symptoms of other age-related health problems. For instance, skin reactions may be overlooked as dry skin, a common condition in seniors. If these allergies are new, diagnosis can be delayed, and if they are already known, it can still result in slower response times when an allergy scare occurs.
Common Food Allergies in Seniors
Food allergies can come in many forms, but some are more common in the overall population and pose a risk to Florida seniors.
- Peanut allergies are among the most common and severe food allergies known for their potential to cause life-threatening reactions, including anaphylaxis. Seniors with peanut allergies must strictly avoid peanuts and peanut-containing products. Even small amounts of allergens can cause huge responses in the body, meaning proper food care is paramount to senior safety.
- Shellfish allergies are prevalent among seniors, divided into two main categories – crustaceans (shrimp, crabs, lobster) and mollusks (clams, mussels, and oysters). While shellfish allergies are still very serious, it is typically much easier to avoid shellfish than more ubiquitous food types.
- Tree nut allergies, including those associated with almonds, walnuts, and cashews, are common in the senior population and can result in severe allergic reactions akin to peanuts. Reading food labels for hidden nut ingredients is required due to the wide array of dishes and prepacked foods that might have one type of tree nut or another in the ingredient list. The risk of contamination is often present simply due to the food processing plant handling tree nuts and other foods.
- Dairy allergies differ significantly from lactose intolerance, a common misunderstanding. While lactose intolerance involves difficulty digesting lactose due to enzyme deficiency, a dairy allergy triggers an immune response that can cause skin reactions, gastrointestinal symptoms, or respiratory issues. Seniors with dairy allergies must avoid all forms of dairy, from milk to butter and cheese.
- Wheat allergies are an immune response to proteins found in wheat and should not be confused with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Seniors with wheat allergies must avoid wheat-based foods, which can be challenging given wheat’s prevalence in the diet.
Food allergies can be scary, and seniors living with these types of ailments may feel more secure living within a community. If you are a senior with a severe allergy, moving to an assisted living facility could be a beneficial step, as facilities are equipped to manage the unique needs of seniors with dietary restrictions and allergies. With trained staff on hand to monitor health, prevent cross-contamination, and respond promptly to any allergic reactions, A Banyan Residence can offer peace of mind regarding a future allergy scare.
