Common food allergies to watch out for

Many people are not aware of it, but food allergies are extremely common. Plus, the percentages of people suffering from food allergies keep increasing. While allergies can be caused by literally anything, there are certain common food allergies that people suffer from. In most cases, these can only be treated by an allergist specialist.

We have listed a few common food allergies in this article. However, before we get to that, let us take a look at what is a food allergy.

What is a food allergy?

An allergy is caused by a reaction to an allergen. An allergen is a substance that triggers an allergic reaction. In cases of food allergy, it is a type of allergy that is triggered by a type of food.

The reaction caused by any allergy gives certain symptoms such as swelling of the tongue, itchy rash, nausea, vomiting etc. However, these symptoms differ for each type of allergy.

Let’s look at the common types of food allergies to understand more about them.

Peanuts

Peanut allergy is one of the most common type of food allergy. We do not exactly know why people end up developing an allergic reaction to peanuts. However, it is believed that peanut allergies could be running in a family. This means that if you have a family history of peanut allergies, you might be at a risk of developing it too.

There are no treatments for peanut allergies yet, but new researches are being done. For now, it is best that people with peanut allergies stay away from peanuts all together. However, to prevent peanut allergies in young kids, a few studies have shown that introducing them to peanuts at an early age is helpful. This is however still being researched upon.

Cow’s milk

Another one of the most common food allergies is an allergy to cow’s milk. This is especially common in young kids, specifically when they are introduced to the milk before 6 months of age. However, it is also said that many kids outgrow this allergy which is why it is common amongst kids but not that common amongst adults.

Common symptoms of this allergy include rashes, swelling, vomiting, diarrhea etc. In a swear case of this allergy, you could also experience anaphylaxis. This type of allergy also does not have any treatments so far. People suffering from it needs to avoid cow’s milk at all costs. This includes every item that is made up of cow’s milk such as cheese, butter, yogurt, cream, ice cream etc.

Eggs

A third most common type of food allergy is due to eggs. Just like with cow’s milk, a lot of kids who are allergic to kids are said to outgrow it as they grow older. Symptoms of an allergic reaction to eggs include rashes, stomachache and in extreme cases, anaphylaxis.

However, many people are only allergic to egg whites and not the yolks. Similarly, people many be allergic to egg yolks but not to egg whites. This is because both the egg whites and egg yolk have different proteins. Just like all the other allergies, there is no permanent treatment for it yet. People suffering from this allergy will need to avoid eating eggs or any food containing eggs. Many people can tolerate cooked eggs in cakes but not egg on its own. For this, you would need to consult your doctor to be guided properly regarding your allergy.

Conclusion

Cow’s milk, peanuts and eggs are some of the most common food allergens. In order to avoid any allergic reaction to that, you need to cut them out of your diet or else they can be really dangerous. We suggest you find allergy doctor Germantown as soon as you experience any symptoms.

 

How to treat allergies at home this season?

Every year, when the allergy season is at its peak, a large number of people suffer from allergic rhinitis and hay fever. Usually, there are there different types of allergies. These include respiratory allergies, food allergies, and contact allergies. In case you are not sure about the type of allergy that you are suffering from, get allergy testing done right away. This will help you in staying away from the triggers.

Typically, allergies begin due to an unusual response of the immune system to certain allergens. This results in runny nose, sinus waste, water eyes, breathing problems, and an itchy throat.

Treating allergies at home

Usually, the spring season is considered to be the primary season in which allergies hit. However, people who carry other allergies are at risk throughout the year. In case you are having trouble with allergies, this article will help you out.

Use saline rinse and neti pots

Neti pots are considered to be one of the most effective remedies to relieve allergy symptoms. These can be used to flush out the nasal depression, using sterile saline solutions. This will also flush out the allergens.

Use steam

Did you know? Inhaling steam is one of the simplest and easiest methods of relieving the nasty allergy symptoms. Steam is highly useful because it soaks up the dry nasal passages, which soothes them. At the same time, it also helps in flushing out allergens such as pollen that are stuck in the nasal pathways. However, it often only provides a momentary relief from the symptoms. In case your allergy symptoms are getting nastier, reach out to a doctor right away.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a useful item to reduce the creation of mucous in your nasal passages  All that you need to do is to mix a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. Drink this solution three times a day in order to get relief from your symptoms. .

Using nettle leaves

Nettle leaves are natural antihistamines. This means that they can provide you relief like no other item. These herbs have been used for centuries and can be used in the form of a tea or a tincture. However, they are considered to be the most effective in the form of a tea. Do remember that this tea must be sipped very slowly, and should always be consumed warm (for the best effects).

Carrot + beetroot juice

A carrot + beetroot juice will light your immune system up, and help you fight external agents. This can also provide some relief from the symptoms of allergies. In this regard, mix just 100 ml of beetroot juice in 250 ml carrot juice.

Lemon and honey

Lemon is a natural anti-allergic citrus fruit, which flushes all the allergens out and also eases your symptoms. That, combined with honey gives amazing results. Simply, take one cup of warm water and squeeze one lemon in. After that, mix in one tablespoon of honey and sip it slowly. You can safely drink it a couple of times in a day, depending on the extent of your allergy symptoms. However, since lemon is acidic in nature, it is recommended to not to be taken on an empty stomach.

Ending note

All of the above mentioned remedies can help you in treating the symptoms of allergies. However, these should not be considered as an alternative for medical treatment. So, we highly recommend you to visit an allergy clinic Germantown whenever you feel like your allergy symptoms are flaring up again. While natural treatment does certainly help, it can never be substituted for proper medical care.