Food allergies are not uncommon. It is normal to develop food allergies in childhood, or even in adulthood. This is why it is so important that you understand what the symptoms are of food allergies. When most people think about food allergies they think of the most severe symptoms, such as anaphylaxis. But there are many other symptoms that are milder, but that can be dangerous is they are ignored. Here are some of the lesser-known symptoms to look for.
1. Anxiety and Impending Sense of Doom
When you eat a food that you are allergic to it triggers the immune system. For some people this can cause them to feel anxious or an impending sense of doom. You might feel jittery, angry, or simply worried. This is your body telling you that something is wrong.
Young children may not be able to articulate their anxiousness. Instead, the child might excessively cry, become wired and out of control, or simply grouchy. Watch for behavior changes in your child when they eat certain foods, this could be a sign that their body cannot tolerate the food.
2. Eczema and Skin Irritations
Another problem that is quite common is skin irritations such as eczema. Eczema can be a skin disorder that comes and goes throughout their life. But in other cases it is not a disorder of the skin, but of the immune system. Once again, when there is food in the body that you are allergic to, it will trigger the immune system and for some this means rashes on the skin, dry spots such as eczema, acne, or even just bumps all over the skin.
It is not uncommon for people who have dairy allergies to display eczema. It may be worth eliminating milk from the diet to see if the skin clears up.
3. Digestive Problems
In some cases you will eat a food that you are allergic to and the body won't react immediately. Instead, you will notice the symptoms are delayed and begin when the food hits the digestive tract. You might have cramping of the stomach, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. Digestive problems are not to be ignored. Long term constipation or diarrhea can be terrible for your colon and for your stomach. You need to figure out what is causing the problem before you cause permanent damage to your body.
If you suspect you or a loved one have food allergies talk to a specialist at a clinic like Oak Brook Allergists right away.
Share4 January 2016
