How do I know if I have a food allergy or intolerance?

How do I know if I have a food allergy? 

Australia has been labelled the food allergy capital of the world.

Recent statistics have revealed up to 10 per cent of Australian infants have a proven egg allergy and up to four million Australians have some form of food allergy or intolerance.

The jury is out on why food allergies are increasing, but theories range from delayed introduction of allergenic foods and Vitamin D deficiency to the overexposure of certain medications and diets high in processed foods. 

The robustness of the immune system and gut health may also have an influential role on the development of food allergies. 

But how do you know if you have a food allergy? And what’s the difference between a true allergy and an intolerance? And what foods could you be allergic to?

Most Common Food Allergens

The most common food allergens in Australia include:

  • Egg

  • Peanuts

  • Tree nuts

  • Cow’s milk

  • Fish and shellfish

  • Sesame

  • Soy 

  • Wheat

However it is also possible to have adverse reactions to a wide range of foods including meat, wine, avocado, fruits (particularly those high in latex), coconuts, corn, preservatives and more.

A commonly occurring reaction is to gluten - a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, oats, and derivatives of these grains which can be found in everything from sauces to lollies.

Coeliac Australia predicts as many as 1 in 70 Australians have coeliac disease, but 80% of those remain undiagnosed. Coeliac disease is often mistaken as a food allergy, but is actually an autoimmune disorder which causes the immune system to react abnormally to the presence of gluten, resulting in damage to the intestinal lining. Coeliac disease is a life-long condition and is more severe than non-coeliac gluten sensitivity.

Signs of a Food Allergy

The most severe reactions usually occur with IgE-mediated food allergies, which cause the immune system to respond with inflammatory response to certain foods.

These allergies can be life threatening and may cause rapid onset of anaphylaxis, which causes symptoms such as hives and rashes, swelling of the throat, tongue, lips, eyes or face, itching, wheezing, shortness of breath, vomiting and low blood pressure and may lead to death. 

Food intolerances and sensitivities may contribute to a wider range of slower-acting reactions such as digestive pains, colic, burping, diarrhea or constipation and flatulence, as well as more subtle symptoms like hiccups, headaches, rashes, dry skin, joint pain and more. 

Breastfeeding mothers may also notice these symptoms of allergy or intolerance in their babies, when they are exposed to new foods through breastmilk. Some of these reactions can be serious and you should seek immediate medical attention for infants showing any signs of food allergy. 


Identifying a Food Allergy or Intolerance

A range of tests and methods are available to diagnose food allergies. 

Pathology testing analyses the blood to assess for a range of markers indicative of food allergies. 

While a compatibility report can help identify sensitivities to more than 500 everyday foods and household products.

Elimination diets can also be used to find the cause of mild intolerance symptoms, by cutting out potential culprits and slowly reintroducing foods one by one.

After identifying a food allergy or intolerance, it is important to seek guidance with avoiding the offending allergen, and also supporting optimal health with nutritional and naturopathic support.

If you believe you may be living with a food allergy or intolerance and would like support with testing, meal planning and nutrition, book an appointment with me.

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