Food Allergy Awareness
May is food allergy month which means that it’s time to spread as much awareness about food allergies as possible. Did you know that at least 50 million Americans today are struggling with allergies? Additionally, most of the people suffering from allergies also struggle with asthma. What’s most shocking is the fact that there are still many people out there who could be struggling with an allergy without their knowledge. Are you one of them? Keep reading to find out.
Signs you may have a food allergy without knowing it
If you have never been diagnosed with allergies before, it can be difficult to identify an allergy attack right away. Luckily for you, we are spreading awareness about allergy infections during this food allergy month so that you can avoid suffering unnecessarily. Some of the subtle allergy signs you might be underestimating include:
Constant congestion
Do you have a nasal congestion that keeps recurring? If so, you could be having an allergy attack without knowing it. Congestion is the most overlooked allergy symptom yet it’s one of the biggest indicators of an allergy infection. Frequent congestion in young adults and kids should not be ignored because if left untreated, it could develop into allergic bronchitis, which increases the risk of developing asthma.
Therefore, if you have a congestion that keeps coming back, we recommend you book an appointment with us at Kratz Allergy & Asthma, so that we can check it out.
Cold and ear infection
Another allergy symptom you should be on the lookout for during this food allergy month is a persistent cold and ear infection. If your nose is chronically stuffed, it makes you more vulnerable to ear infections. Additionally, what could seem like a chronic sinus infection could in fact be a chronic allergic inflammation that is causing the nasal congestion.
Have you been having a recurring ear infection that is usually followed by congestion? Call us today to book an allergy test appointment.
Undiagnosed food allergy
If you have an undiagnosed food sensitivity or allergy, then you could be suffering allergy attacks without your knowledge. Food allergies in particular can lead to anaphylaxis, which can quickly turn life threatening without medical intervention.
During this food allergy month, food allergies are a trending topic in many health circles because there are many categories of food today e.g. dairy, legumes, and gluten. There is always something new to be on the lookout for. Although food allergies are frequent in children, it is possible to develop food allergies at any age.
The most common foods that may trigger an allergy at any age include:
- Shellfish
- Eggs
- Tree nuts
- Dairy
- Wheat
- Fish
- Soy
- Peanuts
Signs you could be developing a food allergy without your knowledge include:
- An itchy or tingly mouth
- Feeling nauseated or vomiting after a meal
- Diarrhea or abdominal pain
- Feeling light headed or dizzy
- Difficulty swallowing food
- Itchy eyes
- Sneezing
- Skin rash
If you realize that you usually experience some of the above symptoms after taking a particular type of food, please visit us today for a check up to confirm whether you indeed have a food allergy.