Detecting Food Allergy Symptoms

First things first... not every discomfort you feel after eating is a food allergy. It is possible that the discomfort which most people feel is just a kind of intolerance to a particular food. A very good example is an upset stomach or a sick feeling after a meal.

To differentiate intolerance from food allergy is easy if you know the symptoms of food allergy. One of the first ways to know the difference is this - with intolerance, the reactions are mild while with food allergy, the symptoms are severe.

Looking more closely, food allergens (the ones that causes allergic reactions) are proteins that unfortunately withstood the high temperatures of cooking as well as the acidic substances and enzymes of the gastrointestinal system. These allergens consequently live on to pass through the linings of the gastrointestinal tract, disperse into the blood circulatory system, and travel to organs of target, which results to different allergic symptoms all over the body.

Other common food allergy symptoms include, but are not limited to:

- Severe diarrhea or vomiting
- Swelling on the skin, particularly by the side of the mouth
- Rashes on the skin
- Runny nose
- Dizziness
- Rashes

Whenever you feel any of these food allergy symptoms, don't treat them with kid gloves. Get serious and seek help so that the situation doesn't get worse. The truth is that in any health related issue - delay is very dangerous. Didn't the wise ones say "a stitch in time saves nine"?!

Individuals who are highly allergic are advised to put on medical alert necklaces or bracelets which declare your condition. As for the medications, some patients who are very vulnerable are also advised to bring with them at all times a self-injectible epinephrine, which is prescribed by the doctor, that can be of great help during sudden attacks of allergic reactions before seeking out for the assistance of an emergency team.

Don't be like those who always procrastinate about everything, including their health. With such people, they tend to put off everything, until it becomes too late. Don't let this happen to you. Get help as soon as you notice any of the above symptoms of food allergy.

Knowing food allergy symptoms can help you get started in treating the allergy before it becomes worse. When it comes to allergy and other such problems "ignorance is not bliss". The more you know about the various symptoms, the more prepared you will be in not only preventing it but dealing with it as well.

Lastly, don't forget to NOT confuse the symptoms of intolerance with the symptoms of allergy. The symptoms of intolerance are mild and usually go away after a short time, but the symptoms of food allergy are severe and usually long lasting.

Roger Mitchell contributed this article. http://www.allergyfoodsymptom.com/ has other well-written and helpful articles related to Food Allergies like Treating Your Child Allergies and How To Deal With Your Dogs Allergy. This article may be used only in its entirety with all links included.