Did you know that Australia has one of the highest reported rates of food allergies in the world? I in 10 babies born will develop a food allergy in Australia and that is followed closely by America where the statistics are 1 in 13.
A food allergy is when your body experiences an abnormal immune response to food, which can be very dangerous and even life threatening. They can be caused by a variety of different foods, the most common being from peanuts, types of nuts, seeds, eggs, dairy (lactose), shellfish, soy, wheat and gluten.
Food allergies range in severity from person to person, as does the amount of food that causes a reaction. Usually the onset of symptoms from food poisoning happens quite quickly, from just seconds, up to an hour, though some people have had delayed responses.
When allergies are severe they often affect either the respiratory system of the blood circulation. In very severe cases both the respiratory tract and the circulation is affected and the person experiences anaphylactic shock which can be life threatening without the treatment of epinephrine.
Signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction to food includes:
- Itchy or tingling of the oral cavity including the tongue and throat, as well as the eyes and any other area of skin
- Runny or congested nose
- Rash and or hives
- Swelling of the mouth, eyelids, face or throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- Wheezing and difficulty breathing
- Hoarse voice
- Abdominal discomfort from light cramping to severe pain
- Nausea or vomiting
Unfortunately there is no cure for food allergies, there is only management. So those of us who have food allergies (myself included) need to be extremely careful about what we eat. People with celiac cannot even have food that may have come in contact with gluten as this can still cause a serious allergic reaction.
So if you have experienced any of the above symptoms after consuming specific types of food, yet are unaware of any allergy, then it is a good idea to go to your local doctor and have some allergy tests done. These tests are relatively quick and painless and could help you on the road to a more comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle as well as improve your overall health.