Increasing levels of mold, and the Hygiene Hypothesis that suggests high levels of hygiene reduces our exposure to normal germs and makes us more allergic are some of the other theories.

There is yet another theory that it is the recent increase in consumption of genetically modified produce that is making us more allergic. Some experts counter this by saying that it isn’t any particular reason why allergies are rising; it is actually an increase in awareness about allergies among people that has led to this increase

What are GMO Foods and how could they cause allergies?

Genetically altered foods are derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and are produced by certain engineering modifications to make foods resistant to pests or disease, or to increase agricultural yields.

There is evidence to show that at least some genetically engineered foods have had allergic effects and have hence been discontinued.

The problem usually happens when the allergen is transferred inadvertently from a food that is a common allergen to a food that is not as commonly seen to cause allergies.

For instance, allergens were unintentionally transferred from Brazil Nuts to genetically engineered soybean and the GM soybean strain had to be discontinued even though it was originally meant to be animal feed.

How could a GMO allergy manifest?

There is anecdotal evidence of allergic individuals breaking out with allergic reactions when using genetically modified produce. For instance, one may break out in hives just from using corn oil to fry food. The fumes of the hot oil itself could cause a person to have a serious reaction.

The problem is that foods that are genetically modified, such as soy, corn oil etc. are found to be present in so many different food items that it is difficult to avoid all of these and you may not even be aware of actually consuming them or coming into contact with them.

If you have allergic reactions that you cannot seem to explain any other way, you may consider the possibility that the reaction could be due to an allergy to GM foods.

What You Should Know About Bee Venom Allergy

About 0.5 to 2% of the general population could be allergic to bee venom or the venom of wasps and kissing bugs, hornets, yellow jackets and so on.

This means that other than the normal reaction that a person could have to being bitten by a bee – such as pain and swelling, a person could also experience the life threatening condition called anaphylaxis which causes the blood pressure to rise and the throat to swell, making breathing difficult.

Why a bee allergy is important to know about

An estimated 40 people actually die each year from bee stings in the United States alone which according to some estimates is a lot higher. What is also important to know is that these deaths usually occur among those people who have no past history of this allergy, and have never before demonstrated this adverse and extreme reaction to bee venom.

If you are aware of being allergic, you should take care to avoid any contact with insects such as bees, hornets, Africanized (killer) bees, wasps, bumblebees, yellow jackets, and become aware of the other insects that could cause such reactions. If a person has ever shown any symptoms of anaphylaxis to a bee sting, they should get themselves tested for the allergy.

Symptoms of bee allergy

Within a few minutes of being bitten, the allergic individual could have a number of different reactions. There could be hives that begin at the site of the sting and there could be itching all over. A person can have flu like symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, watery and itchy eyes, coughing and wheezing.

There could be abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting and other digestive problems. A person may feel lightheaded and their heart may start to race. A person may feel panicky and the dangerous signs to watch out for are swelling of the tongue, lips and throat.

What to do in case of an allergic reaction to a sting

Allergic people should keep themselves equipped with emergency items such as an Epipen, a Twin-ject Device or Anakit which can be easily obtained from a pharmacy. If an allergic person is bitten by any of the above insects, this must be treated as an emergency and medical attention should be given as soon as possible.

If reactions are mild, only antihistamine may be needed, but the person should still see a doctor following the episode of being stung.

Food intolerance symptoms may be different from allergy symptoms

Symptoms of food intolerance are present when the body is unable to digest the thing consumed. This is usually because of a lack of sufficient levels of certain digestive enzymes that are required to digest that particular item.

The symptoms will not usually occur unless the person has actually consumed the item (as against merely coming into contact with it in any other way).

Also when consumed in very small quantities, the suspected food may be relatively well tolerated and the severity of the reaction could be proportionate to the amount consumed.

Food intolerance symptoms are different from allergy symptoms in that the immune system is not involved in the reactions. Food intolerance are known to be associated with other conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia, certain ear-nose-throat illnesses, chronic hepatitis C infection and eczema among others. In this sense also the pathology of intolerance differs from an allergy.

When it is food intolerance that is at work, the symptoms may present some time after the person has consumed the suspected food or beverage; usually a few hours. But sometimes, the reaction could occur as late as 48 hours after consumption of the offending food or beverage. Since the consumption of the food or drink and the reaction to it is so far apart, the link or connection between the item consumed and the body’s intolerance to it may be difficult to detect.

Types of food intolerance symptoms

Natural as well as artificial compounds in food could result in intolerances and the severity of the symptoms that one person has may vary greatly from person to person. Also the appearance of symptoms could begin at any age or point in a person’s life. Women are seen to be more prone food intolerance; probably because of hormonal differences.

1. Digestive symptoms

Symptoms involving the gastrointestinal tract are some of the most common food intolerance symptoms. There could be abdominal pain and cramping, distention and so on. There could also be nausea and/or vomiting as the body is unable to tolerate something and tries to reject it. There could be constipation or conversely diarrhea. Gas buildup could be another problem. In some cases mouth ulcers could also develop.

2. Respiratory symptoms

There could also be respiratory symptoms of food intolerance such as blocked or runny nose, sinusitis, irritated pharynx, dry cough and wheezing. Food intolerance could also trigger an asthma attack.

3. Skin related symptoms

Skin symptoms such as rashes or hives, urticaria, eczema, dermatitis and angioedema could also present in case of intolerance to certain foods.

4. Severe or life threatening symptoms

In rare cases, food intolerance symptoms may be quite severe. They could include certain life threatening conditions such as anaphylaxis that can lead to death if not treated immediately.

Symptoms of alcohol allergy

Alcohol allergy symptoms may vary significantly from person to person, and as per the sort of allergy they have; however the following could be the symptoms of being allergic to alcoholic beverages:

1. Same as those of food allergy

The symptoms of an alcohol allergy are much the same as those of a food allergy: there could be the nasal congestion or runny nose and other respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, sneezing, headache, itchy skin or even a rash.

According to some experts, nasal symptoms and heartburn are the classic symptoms of an allergy to alcohol.

Extreme allergic reactions to alcohol could be anaphylaxis that could be life threatening. People who have chronic conditions such as angioedema or urticaria could find that consumption of alcoholic beverages worsens or triggers the symptoms of their condition.

2. The Asian flush

This is thought to be one of the characteristic alcohol allergy symptoms: Some people flush red in the face when they have a drink and the redness could be quite marked and may draw attention. In addition, there could be increased pulse rate, nausea and so on.

3. Alcohol intolerance

However this is not an allergic reaction where the immune system is involved. Rather this is a characteristic of alcohol intolerance where the body is not equipped with sufficient digestive enzymes to break down and digest the alcoholic beverage consumed.

Intolerance to alcoholic drinks could also mean that a person gets abdominal pain or cramps, heartburn, vomiting, and digestive disturbances shorting after consuming the liquor.

Things to keep in mind with alcohol allergy symptoms

If a person really has an allergy to alcohol, they will show a reaction almost immediately after consuming alcohol, and the symptoms could manifest even after ingesting small quantities of alcohol.

Sometimes it could be sulfites or preservatives in the drink that could be responsible for the allergic reaction. So it is important to find out whether it is the sulfite, the hops, barley, wheat, corn, rye, grapes, berries or flavoring agent that is responsible for the alcohol allergy symptoms appearing.

And if one finds that the symptoms occur with any kind of alcoholic drink consider giving up alcohol. No one suffered any ill effects from giving up alcohol after all!

Also beware of items such as chocolates, cakes and other desserts that could contain alcohol or even traces of it such as whiskey, rum, liqueurs and so on, which could also cause alcohol allergy symptoms even though the allergen may be present in very small quantities. In particular caution should be exercised when eating out, or eating pre-prepared meals and foods.

Another difference between corn intolerance and a true corn allergy is that even a small amount of the allergen could produce corn allergy symptoms whereas a very small amount may be quite well tolerated even with intolerance. Also an allergic reaction could be quite sudden and the symptoms may show up in a matter of minutes, while intolerance will typically take longer to show up.

While food intolerance will be triggered only by ingesting or actually eating the food, an allergy can be triggered by any kind of contact with the food.

Allergy testing and other methods should be used to pinpoint an allergy so that appropriate methods of management can be formulated.

Corn allergy symptoms and corn intolerance symptoms

When it is a corn intolerance we speak of, the symptoms may be digestive in nature. Indigestion, abdominal pain or distention, cramps, diarrhea or constipation, etc. may be the commonly noted symptoms. This is because the body is not able to effectively breakdown and digest the particular food due to which the intolerance has developed.

They symptoms of an allergy will involve the immune system and so corn allergy symptoms will include immune responses such as hives and other skin rashes and reactions. There could be the usual runny or stuffy nose and hay fever symptoms. Swelling could be present in some cases.

Various aches and pains, including headaches may manifest. The person may feel tired or enervated as well. The type of symptoms one has and the severity of those symptoms could vary from person to person.

The challenges of avoiding corn

Sometimes corn allergy symptoms may occur rather unexpectedly because corn or its constituents may be present in so many different foods without it being obvious. In fact corn in present in some or other form, to a larger or lesser extent, in a vast majority of processed foods.

One of the most common culprits is high fructose corn syrup which is a ubiquitous ingredient in prepackaged foods available in supermarkets and so on. Other ingredients listed on the package that should ring a warning bell and which could well result in triggering a corn allergy – dextrose, citric acid, MSG (monosodium glutamate) and iodized salt.

Reading ingredient lists carefully is very important for avoiding corn allergy symptoms. Not only that, the important thing is also to be well informed about all the different ways in which corn or maize is used by the food industry and the different names it assumes so that this allergen can be steered clear of.

There are many different almond allergy symptoms which can occur, when almonds are actually eaten and in some cases even if the person has only touched or come into contact with the allergen–

1. Tingling and swelling of the lips and about the mouth is one of the symptoms of this allergy.

2. Skin eruptions, rashes, hives and itchiness can also indicate an allergic reaction to almonds.

3. There could be wheezing, constriction of the airways and difficulty breathing.

4. A person may also have digestive disturbances such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramping etc.

5. In some cases a potentially life threatening laryngospasm can occur when the almond of food containing it is swallowed.

The vocal cords and the airways swell up and impede breathing. Such almond allergy symptoms require emergency medical attention.

6. Anaphylactic shock can also occur with very severe allergic reactions to almonds and this is another potentially fatal reaction to almond allergies.

Management of an almond allergy can be tricky for several reasons – firstly because a person who is allergic to almonds may likely develop allergies to other tree nuts as well. Nuts or traces of nuts are found in so many different products that a person needs to really vigilant in avoiding allergens even from unlikely sources.

Also almond allergy symptoms tend to worsen over time – whereas the first allergic reaction may have been mild, the second one may be worse and more difficult to manage. The severity of reactions to nut allergies can be very severe in a lot of cases, rather like shellfish allergies. Also these allergies tend to persist for life, and rarely do people outgrow them.

Here are some pointers that could help manage an almond allergy –

• If you know you are allergic to almonds, watch out and be careful about consuming other nuts such as hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, walnuts, cashews, chestnuts, pine nuts, gingko nuts, beechnuts, pistachios, pecans and so on. This is because tree nut allergies are known to have a high degree of cross reactivity. One of the tips for management of almond allergy symptoms is to try and avoid all tree nuts as far as possible.
• Avoid not only the actual nuts but also products such as baklava, nougat, marzipan, Nutella, pralines, nut liqueurs, pesto sauce and so on. Cereals, muesli, chocolate, baked items, fudge, granola bars and so on may also likely contain nuts or traces of nuts.
• Read food packaging carefully, to see if the above ingredients are listed so that almond allergy symptoms can be avoided. Eating out can be very perilous for people with nut allergies; in particular Chinese, Italian or Greek cuisine so remember to ask plenty of questions while ordering.

Difference between banana intolerance and allergy

Sometimes intolerance can cause some symptoms similar to banana allergy symptoms and so differentiating the two can be confusing. However the pathology of both is different and therefore the management of the symptoms also has to be different.

Banana intolerance is caused by the lack of a certain enzyme in the body. This enzyme is needed to break down and digest the protein in bananas, and owning to this, there are digestive symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and other problems indicating indigestion.

A banana allergy should also be differentiated from allergies to substances that are used to ripen bananas. At times it isn’t the bananas that a person may be allergic to; it could be the ripening agent that is the actual allergen.

If your allergy symptoms do not occur when you have banana in its cooked form (pies, cakes etc since the cooking processes destroy some of these allergens) then this could be true for you.

Digestive symptoms of a banana allergy

Banana allergy symptoms can occur shortly after consuming the banana and can cause nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and cramping in the intestines.

Other symptoms of being allergic to bananas

Hay fever like symptoms such as a runny or a stuffy nose, coughing, sneezing or wheezing, watery or itchy eyes could be one of the symptoms of a banana allergy. Hives and rashes could also appear after consuming bananas.

There could also be certain oral banana allergy symptoms such as swelling or itching in the mouth and a scratchy feeling in the throat. In extreme cases, the person could suffer anaphylactic shock as a result of their banana allergy. Swelling in the breathing passages and difficulty breathing, and heart problems could occur in very rare cases.

Who is Likely to have a banana allergy?

There are certain allergies that are seen to coexist with a banana allergy, so if you have those you are more likely to have a banana allergy and vice versa as well. Those who suffer from a latex allergy, allergies to avocados, kiwi fruit and chestnuts are likely candidates for banana allergies as well. Some people are allergic to banana pollen; however they are as likely to be allergic to other kinds of pollen.

Banana allergy treatment

Like most allergies it is best to avoid the allergen. However when this is not possible, banana allergy symptoms will respond to and be controlled with the help of antihistamines like most other allergies. Also if the allergy is very severe, adrenaline injections may be required.

As of now, there is insufficient information and statistical data available on the subject of banana allergies. It is not well understood why they occur, when they are more likely to occur and what the best management tactic is.

It is the caffeine in coffee that people can be allergic to, and so the allergic reaction can also be experienced in the case of other caffeinated beverages such as colas, chocolate, and in cases even decaffeinated coffee. This allergy is not yet fully understood and the coffee allergy symptoms can be quite different and varied and may also include mental and not just physical symptoms.

Common coffee allergy symptoms

These symptoms are commonly seen in a number of other allergies – allergic reactions such as a runny nose, watery or itchy eyes, coughing, and/or hives and skin rashes, severe itching could manifest after consuming coffee.

Flu like symptoms may be noted. There could be wheezing as a result of coffee consumption.

Some people may experience nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea and other digestive disturbances. Most of these symptoms will manifest within a few minutes to a few hours of ingesting the offending substance.

Those who are allergic will show coffee allergy symptoms that are an acute version of what non-sufferers may have if they drank excessive coffee – there could be excessive jitters, insomnia, jumpiness, irritability and headaches.

Unusual symptoms of coffee allergy

In some cases there could be less common reactions to coffee allergies, such as chest pain. There could also be a numbness of the feet and the hands. Muscle aches and pains may also follow ingestion of coffee.

Cold sweats and vision problems and even the swelling of the eyes to the point of shutting have been reported in some cases. In cases there could be dizziness, fatigue and so on as well.

In extreme cases there could be coffee allergy symptoms such as chest pain or heart palpitations. When a person is extremely allergic to caffeine anaphylactic shock could also occur when there is swelling or closing up of the throat and breathing problems. Such an allergic reaction can be life threatening.

Mental symptoms of coffee allergy

It isn’t just physical symptoms; coffee allergies could also produce mental symptoms. A person could experience anxiety or panic attacks as a result. They may find that they are unable to focus or concentrate on the job at hand. There could be irritability and mood swings and anger as a result.

Experts have found that a coffee allergy could produce symptoms such as hallucinations, delirium and even mania; and may sometimes produce symptoms that mimic schizophrenia and other mental diseases.

Coffee allergy symptoms have at times been known to be confused with mental conditions such as paranoia, obsessive compulsive disorder, attention deficit disorder, bipolar disease and so on. So it is important to isolate and identify that the symptoms that are being experienced and to make sure as to their reason, since many of the symptoms of a coffee allergy can be extreme enough to impact quality of life and in cases even be life threatening.

So if a person has symptoms such as acne and other skin problems such as eczema, nasal congestion, asthma, canker sores/fever blisters, pink eye, digestive problems, breathlessness, fatigue, itching, hay fever, hives or a combination of these, it has to be determined whether these are due to consumption of soy or some other reason.

There could also be extreme reactions to soy allergies, such as anaphylaxis which could be life threatening so it is important to identify a soy allergy and to guard against triggering it, by keeping the following in mind.

Check ingredients lists on packaged products consistently

It of course goes without saying that the ingredients lists of packaged foods should be checked for soy.

But it is also important to do this consistently, even with familiar foods. This is because the manufacturers may change recipes; add new ingredients and so on without one knowing about it.

So packaging should routinely be checked, regardless of how long a product has been used.

Common items that contain soy

It is obvious that items such as soy flour, soy nuts, soy sauce, soy milk, soy chunks or granules, soy curds, and tofu are things to be avoided if one is allergic to soy.

But there are also other things that should be avoided if one is allergic to soy – Miso, Tamari, Tempeh, many sauces kinds of sauces and additives such as Worcestershire sauce, some baked items, certain cereals and even certain kinds of infant cereal could contain soy.

Check not just for soy but also other terms relating to soy

Sometimes the ingredient may be listed not as ‘soy’ per se, but as another term. Ingredients such as hydrolyzed plant protein, textured vegetable protein, vegetable gum and vegetable starch may all contain soy.

Additionally a lot of ingredients listed as “natural and artificial flavoring” may also contain soy and so have to be watched out for.

Further many items that one wouldn’t ordinarily associate with soy; items such as chocolate, stock cubes, caramel color, vegetable oil and fat, canned broth, lecithin, methylcellulose, mono glycerides, and diglycerides may also contain soy.

For instance certain brands of peanut butter may trigger soy allergy because they contain soy oil. So it is important to not only read labels but be informed about soy and its uses and applications.

Now however, help may be at hand for milk allergy sufferers in the form of a new desensitization tactic.

A study conducted by researchers from Stanford University and Children’s Hospital Boston devised a way in which a milk allergy sufferer would be administered allergy medication omalizumab (Xolair) an anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) medication alongside the desensitizing therapy.

For the desensitization to the allergen, in this case milk, small amounts of dairy or appropriate products are administered to the allergy sufferer so that their system has the opportunity to adapt to the presence of the allergen without provoking a negative response.

This dual approach of medication and gradual desensitization is time consuming, but can yield good results.

The strategy uses the anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) medication to protect the person from the adverse reactions that may possibly erupt even with the exposure to a small amount of the allergen.

So this is a safe way of increasing a person’s exposure to an allergen so that they have the opportunity to increase their resistance to it.

The study that successfully treated the milk allergy of children was devised to give the children the medication for a period of 9 weeks which was then followed by exposure to just 2 grams of milk protein.

As the study progressed this amount of milk protein exposure was increased.

There is hope that this study could solve problems faced not only by milk allergy sufferers but other allergy sufferers as well, since this desensitization tactic in conjunction with medication could work for many other kinds of allergies as well.

There is little evidence that alternative tests such as muscle weakness or hair analysis for allergies work, and parents are now being warned against using them.

Since 1990, there has been a staggering 500% increase in the number of instances where people have been required to be hospitalized due to allergic reactions to different allergens, the most common among them being tree nuts, peanuts, other nuts, milk, fish, shellfish, soy, sesame seeds, kiwi and wheat.

In extreme cases, allergic reactions could induce fatal heart attacks, anaphylactic shock that causes difficulty in breathing, swelling and so on.

It is suggested that excessive anti biotic use could be behind the sharp rise in allergies – as people ‘s exposure to common infections is reduced, the immune system responds by reacting in a hostile fashion to harmless substances such as pollen, dust and food items.  Other suggested causes for this rise are decline in breastfeeding and rise in cesarean section deliveries.