Mar

13

Food Allergies Undetected: A Possible Source of Many Health Problems

Filed Under Eczema Allergy, Eczema Treatment, Food Allergy 

A couple of subscribers have written in about possible triggers found in food allergies for their eczema flareups. I’ve decided to share and consolidate more of this type of info on this blog, rather than on other my allergy site.

Some food allergies are easy to determine because of their immediate and obvious reactions following consumption. Unfortunately, many people are misdiagnosed because they never find the source of their health complaints. A food allergy can mimic symptoms of other ailments, making it difficult to find the best allergy treatment. Also, an improper diagnosis can lead to treatments that are not effective and may cause serious side effects. To add to this difficulty, people with one allergy are often susceptible to other allergens and the combination of allergic reactions can make it difficult to decipher where the problems are coming from.

One example of food allergies that I heard about recently shows how startling the results of allergy testing or the results of an elimination diet can be. A friend of mine was experiencing symptoms of seasonal allergies. However, when the season was over, the symptoms persisted. After a period of two years of extreme discomfort, she decided to revamp her diet. She eliminated all of the obvious foods that were most likely to cause allergies. Even so, she was still miserable and her doctors were recommending extreme measures to treat her symptoms. One day she looked at her plain chicken sandwich made with a wheat-less tortilla and lacking any offending condiments. Suddenly it occurred to her that the lettuce on her sandwich was something she ate with almost every meal. She eliminated it from her diet and found that it was the culprit.

For most people the common allergies will resolve allergy problems; such as dairy products, wheat, eggs, nuts, sea food, and soy. By eliminating the allergen from the diet, a person can get relief. But it is possible to be allergic to anything from lettuce to eel. It is also possible to misunderstand what you are allergic to. For example, you may think that you are reacting to the nuts in a certain kind of candy, when you are really reacting to the food dye used.

Allergic symptoms can vary widely from one person to another. Also, an individual may react to the same allergen differently one time than another when exposed to the allergen. The following reactions can stem from food allergies:

Rash – especially around the mouth
Hives
Nausea
Vomiting
Shortness of Breath
Wheezing
Nasal Congestion
Runny Nose
Light Headedness
Diarrhea

When food allergies are severe it can cause anaphylaxis, which is a drop in blood pressure. This can be a life threatening condition. Some people have a swelling of the throat that can make it difficult to impossible to breathe. People with severe allergies must be very careful about what they eat and should be treated immediately by professional medical personnel.

By understanding your food allergies, you can use the most appropriate remedy that is best for you, whether it is an herbal supplement or simply an elimination of the offending food. Be careful not to overlook the unusual food allergies. Like my friend, you may find that a small change in diet can make a big difference in your life.

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