Food Allergies

Food allergies are suffered by a million people in the UK. However, most affected are children under two years old. Allergic reactions often have two phases, an early phase reaction which appears within minutes after inhalation or ingestion of an allergen and a late phase which can occur many hours or even a day later. These late phase symptoms may be more severe than the initial early phase reaction and could be misinterpreted as a food intolerance.

Symptoms may include;

- itching, swelling lips and face
- coughing
- shortness of breath and wheezing
- asthma
- dry, itchy throat and tongue
- itchy skin, rashes and eczema
- diarrhoea
- vomiting
- headache
- anaphylaxis

The most common foods that cause allergic reactions are:

- Milk
- Eggs
- Wheat / gluten
- Citrus fruits
- Peanuts
- Walnuts
- Fish
- Shell fish
- Sesame seeds

Food intolerance can be caused by a wide range of triggers including true food allergies mediated by IgE antibodies. There are other types of food intolerance, some of which are psychological such as a dislike of a particular foods texture or flavour. People with a wheat intolerance may in fact have Coeliac disease - this is usually diagnosed by a taking a small sample of the intestine for study in the laboratory.

Approximately 1% of people suffer from wheat intolerance. Gluten found in wheat, rye, barley and oats cause the inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract known as coeliac disease. This is not a true allergy but a true food intolerance, in that the disease does not involve IgE antibodies. The gluten damages the surface of the small intestine which reduces its ability to absorb nutrients from food causing wasting and malnutrition. Coeliac disease can occur at any age and most coeliacs are diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 45 years old.

Some people with intolerance's to dairy products may have a lactose intolerance. Lactose is a sugar found in milk. People with a specific deficiency of the enzyme lactase may have symptoms associated with lactose intolerance after they drink milk. Common symptoms can include nausea, stomach cramps, bloating and diarrhoea which begin about 30 minutes to 2 hours after eating or drinking foods containing lactose.

The only tests for food intolerance commonly used in NHS hospitals in the UK are those for coeliac disease, lactose intolerance and tests that detect IgE antibodies such as RAST type tests for food allergies.

It is important that once you confirm you have a food allergy or intolerance that you seek medical advice. You should not attempt to check your sensitivity by eating a food you suspect may be causing the problem. Similarly, avoidance of common foods such as milk , eggs or wheat should only take place after consultation with a dietician or your doctor as unnecessary avoidance of these foods can lead to nutritional deficiencies.

GP and advisor to ITV’s This Morning, Dr Chris Steele is a true advocate of self diagnosis. He says: Understanding allergy and it’s causes can have a considerable impact on a person’s quality of life. Anyone suffering with allergy will tell you that living with symptoms from itchy skin to a constantly running nose and flu-like symptoms can be incredibly debilitating. Add to this the long waiting lists and it’s easy to see we have a very real allergy management problem in the UK.

Quick, reliable and convenient home allergy testing gives people the knowledge to take the next steps towards choosing the most appropriate course of action whether it be a doctor’s appointment, an over the counter treatment or lifestyle changes such as house dust mite or cat avoidance which could considerably improve their quality of life.

Your pharmacist can advise on suitable medications which are available without prescription such as antihistamines, decongestants and anti-inflammatory nasal sprays and eye drops. If your symptoms persist then you should seek further help from your doctor.