What is food allergy?
Food allergies are when the immune system has a reaction soon after eating even a small amount of a certain food. While easily confused with food intolerance, food intolerance does not involve the immune system.
What are the symptoms of food allergy?
Symptoms of food allergy can be mild to severe. In some cases, they may cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) which requires immediate medical attention.
Mild allergy symptoms include:
- hives,
- tingling or itching in the mouth,
- vomiting, and
- abdominal discomfort or pain.
Severe allergy symptoms include:
- wheezing or trouble breathing,
- swollen throat,
- dizziness or fainting, and
- rapid pulse.
If your food allergy is causing gastrointestinal symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrohea, it is important to see your doctor to rule out any other causes.
What causes food allergy?
The most common food allergens include:
- gluten (coeliac disease),
- dairy (including milk),
- egg,
- peanut,
- tree nuts (walnuts, almonds, pine nuts etc),
- soy,
- fish, and
- shellfish
Find out more about food allergy
To find out more about food allergy talk to one of our gastroenterologists today.