Nagging Allergy Symptoms?

Do you struggle to control allergies no matter what time of the year? Are your symptoms worse after consuming foods or beverages? 

Seasonal allergies are one thing, but if persistent sniffles, sneezes, itchy eyes, or itchy skin are giving you a run for your money, there could be other culprits. Food sensitivities can be random or they can fall within a category, such as high-histamine or high-salicylate. While food allergies and food sensitivities are different, they share some of the same symptoms, such as the potential for itchy skin and hives, nasal congestion, and abdominal pain or diarrhea. 

A true food allergy is classified as an IgE reaction where the body’s response is immediate. While any food can cause an allergy, the top 8 Allergenic Foods include 1) Eggs, 2) Soy, 3) Wheat, 4) Shellfish, 5) Treenuts, 6) Dairy, 7) Fish & 8) Peanuts.

Food Sensitivities, on the other hand, are classified as IgA or IgG responses and known as delayed reactions (those that can take hours or days to show up). Common foods in this category include those listed above, as well as, citrus, nightshade vegetables (bell pepper, tomatoes, hot peppers, eggplant, and potatoes), corn, yeast, and grains.

Following through with an elimination diet or completing a food sensitivity test from several panel options are two methods to consider when needing to identify problematic food sources.