There are a wide range of food allergies and reactions caused by foods. Many people will not identify and address their food intolerance by removing problem foods from their diet. This leads to many people putting up with the symptoms of food allergies throughout their lives.

Foods can affect the body in a number of ways which may be different from person to person. These can include reactions with the skin, gut, feeling nauseous or breathing problems.

Common symptoms of food intolerance and allergy

Skin problems

These can include itchiness, rashes, swellings or hives.

Gut problems

This includes diarrhoea, trapped wind, vomiting, reflux, stomach pains or constipation

Breathing problems

Some food intolerances produce breathing problems which include tightness of the chest or shortness of breath.

The most efficient way to control the problems associated with food allergies is to identify the food trigger followed by a structured plan. Any food intolerance plan needs to be manageable and practical. You may need a nutritionist advice to offer alternatives to the trigger food.

Diagnosing a food intolerance

Some food allergies and intolerances are more difficult to diagnose than others. Some people experience symptoms shortly after eating a particular food while others appear a lot later.

Any tests need to be supervised by a doctor. The test needs to be used alongside a review of the patient’s medical history. Only by an informed examination of the test results can a practical diagnosis be produced.

Understanding Food allergy and intolerance

Food allergies are different to food intolerances.

People with food intolerance can cause unpleasant reactions but does not involve the immune system. Diarrhoea is an example of the effect of a food intolerance. People with a food intolerance can still eat small quantities of the trigger food without a bad reaction.

A food allergy is a reaction that occurs whenever a person comes into contact with even a small amount of a trigger food. The immune system identifies a harmless substance and produces a reaction. An allergy happens quickly after contact, usually within two hours.

Some allergic reactions can occur immediately while others can appear after several hours. Symptoms from a reaction may also vary from one occasion to the next.

A severe type of allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis. This condition can result in a fatality if it is not treated immediately. Treatment of anaphylactic shock is usually medicated with an adrenaline injection.

Food allergy and intolerance myth buster

Common food allergies

Food allergies are rising in number over recent years. Some people suspect that it is due to improved hygiene or changes in diet.

People can be allergic to any types of food in theory. But generally the main cause of food allergies are from:

• Celery
• Foods containing gluten ( barley, wheat, oats and rye )
• Soya
• Milk
• Eggs
• Fish
• Molluscs ( oysters and mussels )
• Crustaceans
• Lupin
• Mustard
• Peanuts ( monkey nuts and groundnuts )
• Nuts ( hazelnuts, brazil nuts, walnuts and almonds )
• Sesame seeds
• Sulphites
• Sulphur dioxide

Food allergies in children

Some allergies in children develop as a result of the immune system and gut maturing. For this reason, they can grow out of some allergies by the age of five. These include milk, eggs, soya and wheat.

Some allergies will remain for the life of the person. These allergies include fish, seafood and tree nuts.

Children who are born with allergic conditions such as eczema or asthma may be more likely to develop a food allergy.

People with food allergies are more likely to develop other allergies, these include allergies to other foods and cosmetics.

If you are diagnosed with a food allergy, you should always carry your medication with you. The severity of an allergic reaction can vary from one instance to the next. So if you had mild symptoms one time, another occasion may produce more serious effects.

About Food intolerance tests

There are a number of food allergy tests which are available over the counter in high street shops. These tests can be unreliable and offering false solutions.
These include:

• Vega testing
• IgG testing
• Kinesiology
• Hair analysis

Recent advice form NICE (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) suggest that these tests are not a reliable way to test for food intolerance. The results from these tests are not recognised as producing accurate scientific evidence.

Testing for a food intolerance

The most reliable method to identify problem foods is by completing a food and symptom diary. You can use this information alongside an exclusion diet to find out which food types are causing a problem.

For the process to work properly, the exclusion diet needs to be followed strictly over a significant period. Slowly foods are re-introduced into your diet and any further symptoms will help you identify the trigger foods.

Any exclusion diet will need to be conducted alongside advice from your GP. You GP can recommend you to contact a registered dietitian to help you keep to a structured diet plan.

Always consult a GP before cutting any food from your diet. You may prevent your body from receiving important nutrients.

Further reading

Visit the Allergy UK website.