FOOD allergies, sensitivites or intolerances may take one of two forms, the immediate reaction and the delayed reaction. ("Foods" includes drinks).

Do you come out in hives or have a runny nose (rhinitis) after eating certain foods such as eggs or nuts - (immediate type reaction)? Or do you get nausea, vomiting, wretching, diarrhoea, bloating or stomach cramps (colic in babies) after eating certain foods - (delayed type reaction)?

Do you get a Migraine headache after eating fats or other foods such as chocolate or cheese? Do you find certain fruits and vegetables bring out a body reaction such as asthma or skin itching. Do you get heart irregularity or swollen joints following things you eat? Does coffee or eating Chinese foods give you a headache? Do yeast products give you the itch and red inflammation in heat areas of the skin? If so you may have an allergy to food (or an additive to that food). On the other hand you may have a food sensitivity rather than a classical food allergy. Either way we can offer help.

Food reactions may be caused by a variety of mechanisms and must be differentiated from other types of reactions. Do you know that inherited enzyme deficiences, such as lactose intolerance may mimic food allergy by creating impairment to food digestion and that toxic chemicals in food may do the same? Naturally occurring noxious food constituents may also cause food reactions, but without an allergy being present. Again, we can help.

Our sympathetic doctors look forward to helping you. They may do medical tests to exclude other diseases that can cause your symptoms or test you for reactions to certain allergens (allergy tests). You may request allergy tests. Priority is given to what might be triggering your symptoms.

This practical information is made available by the Allergy Centre. We can tell you if you have Food Allergy or Sensitivity, what it is, how you can be tested for it, what you can do about it and the best treatment to use for your Food Allergy or Sensitivity and whether you may benefit from being desensitised.

Can I have a consultation with the Allergy Centre directly and personally for Food Allergy or Sensitivity? Sure, just click here!

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