Food Allergy Symptoms

Symptoms of a food allergy can vary depending on the people suffering it.  They can range from just an annoyance to a life threatening condition called anaphylaxis.  These allergy symptoms usually appear within minutes, up to an hour after eating.  There are some factors that affect the type, timing and location of these symptoms.

It all starts with common symptoms such as itching, swelling in the mouth and throat,  and breathing problems, then as the food travels down the digestive system, other symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea and stomach pain start.

When the allergens reach the skin, they can produce symptoms of a food allergy such as eczema or hives, and when they reach the lungs, they can cause asthma.  Other symptoms that appear once the allergen runs through the blood flow are light-headedness, weakness and a sudden drop of blood pressure (called anaphylaxis).

Anaphylaxis can be a serious allergic reaction to food and people who have asthma, eczema, childhood allergies or severe food allergies are at more risk of developing it.  If you have anaphylaxis you need immediate treatment, as this condition can be fatal.
 
Severe Food Allergy Symptoms

You may have a severe food allergy if you have one of these symptoms:

• tightness or pain in the chest
• feeling of choking
• respiratory problems
• lightheadedness
• loss of consciousness

Food Allergy Induced by Exercises

Some people are allergic to food after exercising.  When they stimulate the body with exercises they feel light-headedness and itching. These symptoms can also lead to anaphylaxis.  These can be avoided, restricting food 2 hours before exercising.