These 7 signs say that you do not have food allergies

Remember the scene of the festive dinner from the movie "Mrs. Doubtfire", when the character Pierce Brosnan Stu tried a dish with cayenne pepper? He immediately began to cough, he could not breathe, and then he began to choke - the classic signs of a severe allergic reaction.

It's not what happens when someone on a fancy fancy diet eats gluten, right? All because there is a big difference between food allergy, food intolerance and what we are used to call sensitivity to food. Therefore, if you find yourself following the seven signs, you can be sure that this is not a food allergy.

1. Your symptoms affect only the stomach

The allergic reaction is regulated by the immune system. Therefore, if all of your symptoms are spread only to the stomach, then this is not very similar to allergy. The immune system regulates various blood proteins called antibodies that search for bacteria and viruses that are harmful to you. When a person has a food allergy, then his body mistakenly perceives protein in food as a danger. Immunoglobulin antibodies, in fact, attack this protein, releasing chemicals, and they lead to those symptoms that Pearce Brosnan skilfully simulated in the film.

Because of this standard reaction of the immune system, food allergies can lead to things like hives, swelling, shortness of breath, shortness of breath, sneezing.

With sensitivity and intolerance, the immune system reacts differently and leads mainly to problems with the gastrointestinal tract, such as diarrhea, constipation or bloating. Intolerance means that a person lacks the enzymes necessary to process food. For example, people with lactose intolerance do not have an enzyme that could split lactose in milk. Sensitivity to food is not expressed very clearly, and it usually includes mild stomach pain and upset stomach after eating certain foods. Therefore, sensitivity and intolerance can not be defined as a problem with the immune system.

2. Symptoms only in your head

If the only or the strongest symptom after eating is a headache, then it is not an allergic reaction. All because it is not a classical response, dictated by our immune system. Headaches and dizziness are the most likely signs of sensitivity. It's the same with the change in behavior. Concerned parents for a long time already associate the hyperactivity of kids with food allergy, but she can not get her to run around the house all day. Instead, if a child does suffer from a food allergy, it is more likely that he will feel sleepy and less active than usual.

3. Your symptoms appear gradually

If you get sick after eating after an hour or more, then it's intolerance or sensitivity. The fact is that the allergic reaction occurs almost instantaneously. It appears, reaches its critical point and ends in half an hour after the allergen enters your body.

4. You do not feel the same every time you eat the same food

You can feel bloating and a headache several times after eating a pizza, a toast or a bun, and decide that you are allergic to wheat. But when a few days later you eat some other flour product, it does not cause any reaction. Intolerance and sensitivity you probably will have symptoms when you eat problem foods, but they do not necessarily appear every time. At the same time, in the case of an allergy, the reaction will be constant, and not at all easy.

5. You can eat a little problem food or cook it in a safer way

It follows that sometimes a little such food does not cause you big problems. Most people can tolerate small amounts of food to which they are sensitive. But in the case of an allergy, you can not afford such a luxury. Each baby can provoke a reaction. If you are allergic to peanuts, for example, you can never determine a safe amount that will not cause a reaction.

6. You are concerned only because your mother, friend or colleague told you about your allergy

Real allergy symptoms threaten life. But sensitivity or intolerance can cause discomfort. But if you did not notice anything, before someone threw you the idea of an allergy, then probably you do not have it.

7. You feel bad after the milk, but at the same time you can eat hard cheese

This is not an allergy to dairy products, but lactose intolerance. In fact, many adults lose the ability to digest lactose, although there were no such problems in childhood. But since these substances are eliminated in hard cheeses, you can use some of them.

Still think that you have a food allergy? Remember the test that is used to find out if there is an allergy to pollen or animal hair? It works great for food. Put a small amount of the food that you think is an allergen, at the elbow bend and wait 15-30 minutes. In the case of allergies at this place should appear a speck, it looks like a mosquito bite. You can also conduct a general test and a blood test that tests the level of antibodies after eating certain foods. You can also keep a detailed diary in which you will write down the foods that are part of your diet and the body's response to them.