$Unique_ID{BRK02164}
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$Title{Symptoms of Food Allergies}
$Subject{Symptoms Food Allergies allergy signs cramping bloating nausea
vomiting gas diarrhea runny nose rhinitis shortness breath asthma-like red
blotches erythema hives wheals urticaria eczema pallor fatigue irritability
anaphylaxis low blood pressure irregular heartbeats headaches milk eggs nuts
shellfish soy wheat corn bananas chicken melons tests oral challenge
elimination diet skin digestive immune}
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Copyright (c) 1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Symptoms of Food Allergies


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QUESTION:  I know my sister suffers from food allergy, though she won't admit
to it and continues to eat everything that is put in front of her.  Would you
please help me by describing the symptoms of food allergy, and what foods most
commonly cause the condition?  Then maybe she will listen up and change her
ways.  Thanks for your help and your wonderful column.

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ANSWER:  There are many symptoms and many signs of food allergy, but despite
their number and the fact that some types of food allergy are relatively
common, the diagnosis isn't always as easy as you may think.
     Let's start with some of the signs most people take for warning signals
of food allergy and that relate to the gastrointestinal system.  They include
cramping and bloating, nausea and vomiting, gas and diarrhea.  However, these
are the same findings you may have in the case of food poisoning, or even a
"stomach" virus.  Respiratory signs of food allergy include:  runny nose
(rhinitis), shortness of breath and even asthma-like problems.  Yet they are
often mistaken for the common cold, allergy to pollen and flu.  The skin can
display signs of an allergy to food that include red blotches (erythema),
hives and wheals (urticaria) or eczema.  But these also occur when you have
touched a plant, or come in contact with pesticides or other irritating
chemicals.
     Systemic signs may be more severe and more life threatening.  They may be
seen as pallor, fatigue and irritability or even cause anaphylaxis, a life
threatening situation in which the person goes into a state of shock.  Other
symptoms include low blood pressure, irregular heartbeats and severe
headaches.
     The foods most commonly implicated in food allergy include cow's milk,
eggs, nuts, shellfish, soy products, wheat, corn, bananas, chicken and melons.
The trick in diagnosing the presence of a real food allergy is to match the
symptoms with the food, and that takes a bit of doing.  While laboratory tests
and skin testing can aid in making the diagnosis, an oral food challenge, in
which bits of dried food in gelatin capsules are used in an attempt to
reproduce the symptoms, may be the only definitive test, though it is time
consuming and difficult.  Another technique is to use an elimination diet,
removing one suspected food from the daily diet after another until the
symptoms disappear.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.