John Myers
If you suffer from a food allergy, your immune system overreacts when it comes into contact with a certain ingredient in the food. The allergens activate the immune system: Antibodies are formed against these specific ingredients, which cause an allergic reaction in the event of subsequent contact with the allergen. In this case, messenger substances such as histamine are released in the body and the symptoms of a food allergy appear. Food allergies are among food intolerances, but are not to be equated with the term, since some intolerances to certain foods are not due to an allergic reaction.
Allergic symptoms to certain foods and ingredients can vary greatly. Common signs are skin rashes with redness, swelling, hives, itching and eczema. In the mouth area, a food allergy can cause the lips, tongue or gums to swell, itch or blisters to form. Some sufferers feel the effects of an allergy in the gastrointestinal tract and as a result struggle with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, abdominal pain and other digestive problems. Reactions can also include respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing or a runny nose, and fits of sneezing. Occasionally, a food allergy can also trigger headaches, migraines or extreme tiredness.
In the worst case, what is known as anaphylactic shock occurs, in which several symptoms suddenly occur so severely that there is a risk of death. The emergency doctor or an emergency kit with adrenaline preparation, antihistamine and glucocorticoid can help here.
Food allergies can result from a so-called cross-reaction with other allergens. This means that those affected are already allergic to certain tree or grass pollen, i.e. suffer from hay fever, and over time develop a food allergy. In this case, the pollen allergens have a comparable structure to certain ingredients in food, so that the corresponding food also causes an allergic reaction.
Allergies can also change over the course of a lifetime. For example, allergies that appear in early childhood can disappear again later – others can only develop later.
Get an allergy test from your doctor to determine which foods you are allergic to. Once these have been identified, you can consciously avoid them and otherwise eat carefree and enjoyably.
