Everything you need to know about Food Allergies

Food allergies are very common and are caused by different kinds of food consumed around the world, from nuts, milk, seafood to eggs etc cause different kinds of food allergies with different symptoms, so let's read more about food allergies to help you understand them better.

What is a food allergy ?

A food allergy is caused when your immune system reacts to a particular food when it misinterprets the food ingested(usually a protein) for an allergen which therefore causes different allergic reactions throughout your body.

Most food allergies cause immediate allergic reactions, almost 5 -10 minutes after the food is ingested, some may take up to 30 minutes or so to show any signs or symptoms.

Sometimes food allergies can also give rise to acute symptoms which can ultimately lead to anaphylaxis, a serious allergic condition.

Are food allergies and food intolerance different?

As stated in the above paragraph food allergies take place due to allergic reactions caused by the immune system but food intolerance is caused when you have a sudden surge of unpleasant reactions which is mostly caused due to the inability of consuming foods which have indigestible content in them.

People suffering from Lactose intolerance(the most common type of food intolerance ) cannot drink milk while those with gluten intolerance cannot consume gluten-rich foods like wheat and other pulses, food intolerances are usually not life-threatening.

Symptoms of food allergies

There are many allergic reactions caused by different foods, the most common symptoms are listed below-

• Intense itching which can be eczema in some cases

• Tingling sensation in the mouth

• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea

• Congestion in the chest, causing breathlessness

• Increased pulse

• a constant feeling of dizziness

• Swelling in different areas of the body from lips, tongue etc

Getting the right treatment

It is advisable to consult your allergist for the right treatment, book your appointment at one of the best allergy clinics in London, run by Dr Bakshi, a top allergy doctor in London with over 25 years of clinical experience.

Get your appointment today.