How to recognize food allergy symptoms

How to recognize food allergy symptoms

Has it ever occurred to you that the discomfort you have been experiencing for ages is due to food allergy symptoms? Food allergy symptoms can appear within minutes of eating, making these symptoms easy to recognize. However, sometimes it can take up to a few hours to take effect. As a rule, these are then misdiagnosed as other problems or simply lumped into a collective diagnosis that is not clearly understood.

Food allergy symptoms can be mild or severe. Some are just unpleasant, others can be debilitating or even life-threatening. For example, a mild reaction may result in a rash that spreads over a short period of time. Conversely, a severe reaction can lead to severe inflammation and the throat can swell so much that you can no longer breathe.

If you have severe food allergies, it is important to address them. Failing to treat your food allergy symptoms can result in poor digestion or other body functions that affect your ability to function normally. The symptoms of a food allergy do not have to be limited to digestive problems. They can occur in almost any part of the body, depending on the irritant and your own chemical system.

They can affect many parts of the digestive system. You may experience tingling or burning in your mouth, lips, and tongue. Nausea, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea or cramps may occur. When a food allergy develops over time, it can be difficult to determine whether it is an allergic reaction or another problem. If you suffer from chronic digestive problems, you may have a staple food that is aggravating your system.

Food allergy symptoms can also lead to skin irritation and more chronic illnesses such as eczema. It is not uncommon for a person to develop hives when eating irritating foods.

Although many people do not equate respiratory problems with food allergies, foods, like other allergens, can cause symptoms throughout the respiratory system. You may notice that you have nasal congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, or nasal symptoms that resemble a cold. Inflammation of the throat and bronchial tubes may also occur, causing wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing. If you feel any tightness in your chest, you should check it out immediately. Asthma attacks are also very serious and you should seek medical attention as they can be life-threatening.

Another set of symptoms that are often overlooked as a result of food allergies are musculoskeletal disorders. Joint pain that resembles rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, or other conditions involving joint problems may actually be a symptom of delayed food allergies.

You can do an elimination diet yourself to check if certain foods trigger a reaction in you. With an elimination diet, after cleansing your system, you start with foods that are least likely to cause a reaction, avoid them for a period of time, and then very gradually add them back into your diet. Monitor carefully for food allergy symptoms. The sooner you learn to recognize your food allergies, the better chance you have of living a more comfortable and productive life. Many of us have forgotten what this feels like because we have lived with our food allergy symptoms for far too long!

Inspired by Evelyn Lim