A lot of individuals have experienced food allergy at some point in time or the other. Food allergy is defined as an abnormal response of the immune system after eating certain food. Allergen is the substance that triggers an allergy. Lymphocyte or white blood cells produce an antibody called IgE after the initial exposure to the allergen. This antibody IgE then attaches itself to the surface of the mast cells in various tissues of the body. When the individual comes across or eats the same allergen, the mast cells now release substances called histamines giving rise to different symptoms depending on the tissue in which they are released. Young age, family or past history of food allergies, hay fever, and eczema are some of the risk factors for developing food allergies.
The severity of the symptoms of food allergy is different from one person to another. For a few lucky ones, it might just be a sense of discomfort while for others it can cause severe complications and can be life-threatening too. These symptoms can arise within a few minutes or hours after eating the allergen food product.
The Common Signs and Symptoms of Food Allergy are:
- Lips, face, tongue, and throat become swollen
- Hives and severe itching or eczema
- Diarrhoea, stomach ache, nausea, and vomiting
- Fainting and dizziness
- Anaphylaxis- sudden severe drop in blood pressure which can prove fatal if immediate medical help is not provided
- Itching or tingling sensation in the mouth
- Troubled breathing due to wheezing or nasal congestion
Prawns, fish, eggs, cow’s milk, soy, shellfish, peanuts, wheat, and tree nuts are some of the common allergens that can give rise to food allergy. Some individuals can also suffer from cross-reactivity when they are exposed to food or any other substance that is related to the actual allergen. e.g. if a person is allergic to shrimps, it is highly possible that he will be allergic to crabs, crayfish, and lobsters too.
Curcumin has very strong anti-allergic properties which can inhibit the release of substances called histamines and prevent allergy flare-ups. The anti-inflammatory property of curcumin helps in bringing down the inflammation levels in allergic patients, thus providing relief from the symptoms like itching. Since curcumin is a potent immunomodulatory agent, they are very capable of controlling the overactivation of the immune system. Try Tummyric from Bagdara Farms which has the purest form of Turmeric and Curcumin to help you give relief from Food Allergies.