food allergy

In a food allergy, the immune system overreacts to certain proteins in your food and starts making antibodies. Proteins that cause this reaction are called allergens. Examples of foods containing allergens are: grain products, milk (cow’s milk protein), fish, peanuts, nuts, soy and shellfish.

A food allergy can be very similar to a food intolerance because in both, gastrointestinal symptoms can occur after eating certain foods. There are a wide variety of symptoms and signs that can indicate a food allergy. If you suspect you have a food allergy, visit your doctor to have it checked out. Examples of symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Problems with stool (diarrhoea or constipation)
• Pain in the mouth
• Skin complaints such as itching, eczema and red bumps
• Lung complaints such as tightness of the chest
• Eye discomfort
• Headaches
• Fatigue, tiredness
• Dizziness

People with a pollen allergy or hay fever may experience additional symptoms after eating certain fruits, vegetables or nuts. We call this a cross-reaction. With a food allergy, the body’s reaction can sometimes be so severe that it can go into anaphylactic shock; a life-threatening complaint that must be prevented at all costs.

A food allergy can start in childhood and continue into adulthood, although sometimes a child will grow out of it. With a food allergy, even a small trace of an allergen can trigger a severe reaction. Therefore, dietary adjustments are usually necessary and medication may be required to suppress the symptoms.