Food Allergies
A food allergy is an abnormal immune reaction to food. Symptoms include hives, skin swelling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, and collapse. In some people, a food allergy can cause a life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis.
What is a food allergy?
An allergy is when your immune system reacts to something that’s not a threat, causing symptoms such as an itchy rash (hives), swelling of your face and throat and difficulty breathing. Some people experience a life-threatening allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis.
A food allergy is an allergic reaction to food. Common food allergies include fish and shellfish, tree nuts, eggs and milk.
Around 6% of adults have a confirmed food allergy in the UK; however, many more people suffer from food intolerance, where the immune system is usually not involved. Symptoms of food intolerance include abdominal pain and bloating, and usually occur within a few hours of eating the triggering food.
At our innovative Skin Health & Allergy centre, our expert allergists are experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of food allergies.
Oral allergy syndrome
Oral allergy syndrome is a type of food allergy that affects many people with hay fever. It’s caused by proteins similar to those found in pollen that are present in certain raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, and spices.
The condition isn’t usually serious, and cooked foods don’t usually cause symptoms. Symptoms include an itchy mouth and throat.
Exercise-induced food allergy
This is a rare condition where a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) occurs when you perform exercise within a few hours of eating certain foods. The most common trigger is wheat, but any food can cause a reaction, particularly shellfish, nuts, eggs, and milk.
More information
Food allergy symptoms usually develop within a few minutes to 2 hours after eating the allergy-triggering food.
Symptoms of a food allergy may include:
an itchy mouth
a red, raised, itchy rash (hives)
swelling of the lips, face, tongue, and throat
wheezing, nasal congestion or shortness of breath
abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea, or vomiting
dizziness, light-headedness, fainting, or collapse
anaphylaxis – a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that rapidly leads to throat swelling, closing of the airways, sudden drop in blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and loss of consciousness. Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency that needs immediate treatment
A food allergy is caused by your immune system overreacting to certain types of food. The cause of this is unclear, but food allergies are slightly more common if you or a close relative has allergies, asthma or eczema.
You can be allergic to any food, but the most common foods that trigger allergies include:
shellfish, such as prawns, lobster, and crab
peanuts and tree nuts, such as cashews, almonds, and walnuts
fish
eggs
cow’s milk
wheat
soy
You’ll start by having a consultation with a Welbeck allergist - a consultant with specialist training in diagnosing and treating allergies.
Your consultant will ask you about your symptoms, general health, family and medical history, and any medications you take regularly.
They may order some tests, including:
skin prick test – your skin is pricked with a tiny amount of the food you’re allergic to (allergen) to see if you develop a reaction
blood test – to check for antibodies to your suspected allergens in your blood
food challenge test – a test where you eat small amounts of your suspected allergen under medical supervision to see if you have a reaction
Food allergies can’t always be prevented, but there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of having an allergic reaction.
These include to:
identify and be aware of which foods trigger your allergy
read food labels and menus carefully
if you experience anaphylaxis, always have your adrenaline auto-injector (EpiPen) with you and wear a medical alert bracelet
tell restaurant staff about your food allergies when eating out
educate your friends and family about your food allergy and what to do if you have an allergic reaction
follow your dermatologist’s advice and treatment plan carefully and call the clinic if you have any questions
The most severe complication of food allergies is anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. If you experience anaphylaxis, it’s vital that you carry your adrenaline injection with you at all times.
Wear a medical alert bracelet to let others know about your condition and tell your friends and family what to do if you have an anaphylactic reaction.
Other long-term complications of food allergy include:
anxiety relating to food choices
reduced quality of life
social issues, such as avoiding events or situations where there is food present
If you’re diagnosed with a food allergy, you won’t be able to eat the food you are allergic to.
Your dermatologist will create a written allergy management plan for you based on your symptoms and the type and severity of your allergy.
Treatment for food allergies may include:
antihistamine tablets (for mild allergic reactions)
adrenaline auto-injectors (for severe allergic reactions)
allergen immunotherapy (desensitisation) – this involves gradual exposure to the allergen over time to desensitise your body and stop it from reacting
At Welbeck, our allergists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
Get in touch today to book an appointment.
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Frequently asked questions
A food allergy is caused by an overreaction of your immune system and, in severe cases, can be life-threatening.
Food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance, involve your digestive system. They can cause unpleasant symptoms such as bloating and discomfort, but are not typically life-threatening.
Food allergy symptoms range from mild to severe and can be a minor inconvenience or have a significant impact on your quality of life. In the most severe cases, an anaphylactic reaction can be life-threatening.
Whether a food allergy is permanent depends on the type of allergy you have, the age you were when it started and your individual immune response. Some people find their allergies improve over time as their immune system matures and becomes naturally desensitised to allergens.
Allergies that are often outgrown in childhood include milk, eggs, wheat, sesame and soy.
Fish, shellfish, peanut and tree nut allergies tend to persist into adulthood.
Make an appointment with an allergy specialist if you notice recurrent symptoms after eating certain foods.
These may include:
itching
swelling
a runny or blocked nose
sneezing
a rash