Symptoms Of Food Allergy

For some people, an allergic reaction to a particular food can be annoying but not serious. For others, an allergic reaction to food can be frightening and even life threatening. Symptoms of food allergy usually develop within minutes to two hours after eating the offending food. Food allergies can produce even the first time you eat a food.

The most common symptoms of food allergy include:

Tingling or itching in the mouth

Hives, itching or eczema

The lips, face, tongue and throat or other parts of the body

Dyspnea, nasal congestion or difficulty breathing;

Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting

Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting

Anaphylaxis

In some people, food allergies can trigger a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. This can cause life-threatening symptoms, including:

Constriction and narrowing of the airways

Swollen throat or a feeling of lump in throat, hard to breathe

Shock, with a significant drop in blood pressure

Rapid pulse

Dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness

Emergency treatment of anaphylaxis is essential. If untreated, anaphylaxis can lead to coma or death.

Exercise-induced food allergies

Some people have an allergic reaction to a food triggered by exercise. Eating certain foods can make you feel itching and dizziness as soon as you start exercising. In severe cases, food allergy induced by exercise to provoke reactions such as hives or anaphylaxis. Do not eat for several hours before exercise and avoiding certain foods can help prevent this problem.

Pollen allergy syndrome, food

For many people who have hay fever, fruits and vegetables and some nuts and spices can trigger an allergic reaction that causes the mouth to tingle or itch. In some people, the syndrome pollen-food allergy - also known as oral allergy syndrome - can cause swelling of the throat or even anaphylaxis. This is an example of cross-reactivity. The proteins present in fruits and vegetables cause the reaction because they are similar to the allergenic proteins in certain pollens. For example, if you are allergic to ragweed, you may also react to melons, if you are allergic to birch pollen, you can also react to apples. Cooking fruits and vegetables can help prevent this reaction. Most fruits and cooked vegetables do not usually cause symptoms of cross-reactive oral allergy.

Common cross-reactivity between pollens and fruits and vegetables: