Food Allergies: Common Symptoms and Powerful Treatment Options

Were you aware that more than six percent of all adults suffer from at least one type of food allergy? While some are more severe than others, these conditions can often impact our daily lives, and affect the meals that our bodies are able to tolerate. Might you be allergic to certain foods? Let’s first take a look at some common symptoms before discussing your options.

Signs That You May Be Allergic

We should first note that some individuals may only experience mild symptoms, while others could develop severe reactions. Having said this, some warning signs can include:

• A redness or flushing of the skin.
• A sudden rash.
• Your tongue and/or lips begin to swell.
• Feelings of “pins and needles” around your face.
• An upset stomach.
• Cramps, vomiting, or diarrhea
• A tightness of the throat.

While it is always important to consult a medical professional, it’s best to avoid foods that you’re allergic to entirely when possible. 

Difference Between Food Allergy and Food Intolerance

With main difference is that food allergies typically involve the immune system, while food intolerances do not – they instead usually affect the digestive tract, gut, or similar.

A true allergy, even in small amounts, can often trigger the symptoms mentioned previously. However, food intolerance is more likely to be overlooked in small amounts, with the size of the reaction reflecting the amount of food you ingested. 

So, a spoonful of yogurt may be okay for someone who is lactose intolerant, while a glass of milk may cause bloating, diarrhea, and gas. However, with a dairy allergy, even a small spoonful of yogurt may cause skin reactions or respiratory issues.

The implication of this is that food intolerances are more treatable than food allergies. The selection of products created by Intoleran is a good place to start. Lactase tablets, for example, are a powerful way to introduce more enzymes that help break down dairy foods like milk and butter.

What are Your Treatment Options?

One of the issues associated with food allergies is that their causes remain largely unknown. Furthermore, some may disappear over time for no apparent reason, so it’s often recommended (with the guidance of a doctor) to check in on allergies throughout your life, if safe to do so. At the present, there is no way to permanently cure allergies. 

Beyond simply avoiding the food you’re allergic to, changes in your immune system can impact your allergies over time. Therefore, a broader approach to immune system health is recommended.

However, those with a food intolerance have more options. In this case of a lactose intolerance, it is possible to take all-natural lactose supplements. But remember, these exist for plenty of other intolerances, such as starch, fructose, fiber, and more. Different enzyme formulas target different intolerances and can subside the side effects.

There is also the possibility of building up tolerance. This lacks scientific research, so it’s not a recommendation, but some academics claim that it’s possible to build up your tolerance by consuming that food. 

However, an important part of treatment needs to be a holistic one – one that focuses on your gut health more broadly by eating a diverse, nutrient-rich diet with plenty of probiotics. General lifestyle can also play a role, such as eating times and meal portions. 

While there are no cures for food allergies, there are plenty of ways to alleviate the symptoms of intolerances by adopting a practical approach.