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A new study determined which are the most dangerous and costly food allergies.
BEACON TRANSCRIPT – Having food allergies might be more dangerous than believed and they might be a financial burden as well. A recent study focused on this fact and discovered that milk allergies are a medical as well as an economic problem for families. In 2016, this condition had the highest number of services per patient when compared to any other food allergy.
Milk, One of the Most Expensive Food Allergies
This new analysis was conducted by Fair Health, a nonprofit organization which manages a database of private insurance claims. The researchers behind the study mentioned that people need to take into consideration all food allergies, not just peanuts and shellfish ones.
Every one of the allergies means cost burdens, visits to the hospital in case of ingestion, and switching to products that don’t have the allergen. Allergen products do come with some alternative products, especially for milk, which is a product that children need to consume.
Still, milk allergies seem to be more of a financial burned for families than even shellfish or peanuts ones. The parents of kids who have milk allergies mentioned that they spent more money on milk substitutes when compared to other allergen alternatives. They tried to make sure that the milk alternatives were able to sustain their children’s healthy, balanced diet. Research showed that treatments and services connected to a peanut allergy were about $236.73 in 2016. In comparison, also last year, these same costs, but required by a milk allergy could reach $1,043.89.
Another important fact that should be taken into consideration is the need for parental guidance and attention. Parents, teachers, and caregivers need to pay more attention to what kids with allergies eat. They also need to be trained to use an EpiPen. When a person experiences an anaphylactic reaction, the first seconds are crucial. If the EpiPen is used immediately, the person can recover in a short period of time. In cases where the EpiPen is misused or not utilized in the first 30-40 seconds, the risk of dying grows exponentially.
The Most Dangerous Allergic Reactions Tied to Peanuts
Research data showed that a peanuts allergy usually causes the most severe reactions. The study also discovered that there are more and more people who have food allergies nowadays. Over the last 10 years, the number of medical services listed on private health insurance claims related to food allergies increased by 76%.
According to the FDA, almost 90% of food allergies are caused by eight foods. These are eggs, shellfish, fish, wheat, soybeans, tree nuts, milk, and peanuts. Milk allergies can vary from intolerance, which causes gastric distress, to severe allergies that can cause anaphylaxis.
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