Many people have a bad reaction to a food at some point in their lives but real food allergies are estimated to affect only 1 in 70 adults. They are more common in young children but many children grow out of their allergies by school age. Allergies are generally inherited so if eczema, asthma or hay fever runs in your family, then you're more likely to have allergies.
When someone has a food allergy, a problem food triggers the immune system to produce a substance called histamine in response to that food. This immune response can cause severe and even life-threatening symptoms. It is important to immediately consult your doctor if you think you have an allergy to a food, so that you can avoid future problems.
Symptoms of food allergies
- The first symptoms are often itching and swelling in the mouth, tongue and throat
- Skin reactions such as swelling, itching, eczema and flushing
- Vomiting and/or diarrhoea
- Coughing, wheezing or a runny nose
- Swelling of the lips
- Sore, red and itchy eyes
Allergic reactions usually happen within a few minutes of eating food that you are allergic to, but they can take several hours to develop. Some people develop a severe, whole-body allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock. This is a rare but potentially fatal allergic reaction where the symptoms develop all over the body, causing swelling, loss of consciousness, low blood pressure and breathing problems. It is important to consult your doctor immediately the first time you or anybody you know gets the above symptoms in case anaphylactic shock sets in.
Common problem foods
- Nuts including peanuts, walnuts and hazelnuts
- Fish and shellfish
- Cows' milk
- Eggs
- Soya
- Wheat
If you have one food allergy, you are more likely to react to other foods.
Diagnosing a food allergy
Food allergies must be diagnosed by a qualified medical doctor. You shouldn't cut food groups from your diet without first getting medical advice, as you could risk missing out on important nutrients. Numerous tests that claim to detect allergies are available online, through health food shops, sports centres and complementary practitioners, including hair testing, electro-acupuncture and various kinds of blood tests. However, there is no scientific evidence to support their effectiveness so they should be avoided - they can be expensive, and may give a worrying false diagnosis.
Managing a food allergy
Your doctor and dietitian will give you guidance and advice for your specific allergy.
You might also like to consider registering for our online dieting site Tescodiets which can provide members with recipes and meal plans that exclude certain foods.
Tesco Free From range
Tesco have developed a ‘Free From’ range to ensure that food allergies and intolerance do not restrict people’s options for a healthy and balanced diet. All the products in this range are free from gluten, wheat or milk and there are over 150 products such as pitta bread, baguettes, pasta, cereal bars. They can be found grouped together in most stores.
The free from product list is available from Customer Services on 0800 505555 or by mail to:
Tesco Customer Service
PO Box 73
Baird Avenue
Dryburgh Industrial Estate
Dundee
DD1 9NF
This product list is reviewed every 3 months
Emergency treatment
People with severe food allergies who are at risk of anaphylaxis need to take precautions as even a tiny amount in a dish can still trigger a severe reaction.
- Ensure that your doctor teaches you how to cope if you have an allergic reaction.
- Wear a bracelet or carry a card that details your allergy.
- Carry a pre-loaded adrenaline syringe. You must know how to use it in the event that you have an anaphylactic shock.
- Let your family, friends and work colleagues know of your allergy, and how they can help in the event of an emergency.
- If your child has a severe allergy you must make sure that all their carers and teachers have the knowledge and ability to react correctly in an emergency.
Food intolerance
Food intolerance is an adverse reaction to a food or ingredient that occurs every time the food is eaten, but particularly if larger quantities are consumed. A food allergy is sometimes confused with a food intolerance or food poisoning, but an intolerance does not involve an immune response. These can make you feel ill but they are not usually harmful in the same way that a true food allergy might be.
Symptoms of food intolerance can include nausea, diarrhoea, bloating and flatulence. These usually occur around half and hour after the food is eaten. The most common food intolerances are to lactose (the sugar found in milk) and gluten (this is called coeliac disease). In alcohol intolerance, there may be intense flushing of the skin, nausea, palpitations, headache and feeling faint. A food intolerance must be diagnosed by a medical doctor so, again, do not cut out a food without appropriate medical advice.
For further information contact:
Allergy UK
Helpline: 01322 619 898
Food Standards Agency - Eat well, be well
