Why Are Some People Allergic to Certain Foods?

Are you allergic to anything? Maybe pollen in the springtime makes you sneezy or petting a dog makes your eyes itch. Many people around the world experience allergies to pollens, animals, and foods like peanuts, milk, eggs, wheat, and fish.

When someone eats a food they’re allergic to, their skin might develop an itchy rash, their tongue or lips might swell, or their stomach might ache. Sometimes, if the allergy is severe, the person could struggle to breathe.

Why does this happen?

A type of protein in your body called immunoglobulin E (ih-myoo-no-GLAH-byuh-luhn) works to detect harmful substances. If you have a food allergy, immunoglobulin E mistakes the food as something harmful, signaling your body to get rid of the food. The messages that immunoglobulin E sends cause your body to release chemicals that cause allergy symptoms, like itching and swelling.

Before Adam and Eve disobeyed God, our bodies worked perfectly. There were probably no food allergies, because your body wouldn’t have seen safe foods as a threat. But because our world is now stained by sin, our bodies no longer work perfectly.

Thankfully, if you’re a child of God, you can look forward to the day when God will wipe away every tear and there will be no more crying or pain (Revelation 21:4).

Do you have a question about God’s Word or his world that you want us to answer? Is there a topic you want to learn more about? Ask your parents to help you submit your question today. Watch for our answer here on the blog or in Kids Answers magazine. We’d love to hear from you!