In the realities of the modern world, danger lies in wait for us at every turn. Every day we run the risk of getting some kind of disease in our companions. Allergy has become especially popular. It occurs in its various forms and manifestations. It is very difficult to deal with allergies to pollen, animals and insect stings. But it is even more difficult when it is caused by food. The patient has to carefully select his diet, because the slightest grain, and sometimes even the smell of a prohibited product, causes a terrible reaction in the body.
What is food allergy and its types
Food allergies occur as a reaction of the body to many foods, as a result of the production of histamines. This is an indicator of the body's hypersensitivity to products that interact with the immune system. Such failures in the system can manifest themselves in adulthood, and from the first days of life. This is a fairly serious disease that requires urgent treatment and a strict diet. After all, food allergies, if not addressed to the doctor in a timely manner, can lead to complications and chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Food allergies are classified into pronounced and latent form. The first type is characterized by the manifestation of allergic reactions immediately after eating the allergen. And the second is distinguished by its dynamism, cumulative nature. Often this form of the disease is expressed after a certain amount of accumulated allergens with their excessive use. Often this leads to chronic diseases, because the symptoms at the initial stage are not noticeable.
The latent type of allergy is divided into the following groups:
- Spasmodic: symptoms appear even on hypoallergenic foods.
- Temperature: symptoms are observed even with a minimal decrease in body temperature.
- Year-round: symptoms persist throughout the day.
- Concomitant: the body reacts not only to the use of products, but also to their smells.
The first signs of an allergy
The symptoms of allergies are quite diverse in nature and location. As a rule, food allergies in adults begin to manifest themselves in the form of an itchy mouth and a rash on the surface of the body. Often patients complain of numbness of the tongue, which can lead to suffocation. A common symptom is rhinitis. In connection with this, all taste buds are blocked and all colors from eating are lost. All this refers to the first signs. The patient then exhibits the following symptoms:
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As a rule, vomiting occurs within a few minutes after ingestion of the allergen. But sometimes there is an incubation period of several hours. A common symptom in adults is loose stools. Having identified all these signs in yourself, you should not delay going to the doctor.
What are the causes of allergies?
The main reason is the factor of heredity. Any predisposition to the disease can be passed on from mother to child. Incorrect bowel function, violations of its functioning lead to the manifestation of allergic reactions. Frequent intoxication of the body with harmful substances (alcohol, smoking) can provoke a disease, as the protective reaction of the immune system is significantly reduced.
But, nevertheless, the main "culprit" is our diet. Especially the abuse of certain products. We invite you to take a look at the following:
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It is their use that causes the reaction of the body. This is a list of so-called highly allergenic foods. This includes red berries and fruits, carrots, citrus fruits, smoked meats, fatty meats, coffee and mushrooms. The patient is forbidden to eat such food. The average degree of allergy includes potatoes, corn, rice, pork, peas and buckwheat. Their use should be in very small quantities and with constant monitoring of the reaction of the body. But such as zucchini, cabbage, plums, gooseberries, currants, lamb, rabbit, turkey, apples (green), banana have a low rate.
Often there are manifestations of the disease on a variety of nutritional supplements. The reason may be our chaotic lifestyle, in which we do not find time and place for a normal lunch. Irregular meals, overeating or eating fast foods disrupt the secretion of the stomach. All this leads to gastritis and stomach ulcers.
How to treat food allergies?
Before starting therapy, you need to install the allergen product. The doctor can help with this, through skin tests and other tests. After identifying the first signs in yourself, be sure to follow a strict hypoallergenic diet during the treatment period, and for the first time after it. Doctors prefer the use of antihistamines and corticosteroids.
Immunotherapy has become popular. Allergists inject a small diluted amount of the allergen subcutaneously. Thus, immunity is increased, and antibodies are produced in the body. The disadvantage can be called its rather long period of time until complete recovery. Typically, this takes two to three years. But the effect will pleasantly surprise you. Also, some inconvenience is caused by the forced frequent stay in the hospital - 4 times a week, injections are carried out only within the walls of the hospital and only by a doctor.
traditional medicine
Among antihistamines, allergists pay special attention to Loratadine. It is the most effective, does not affect the functioning of the liver and nervous system, so it can be safely used in the treatment of food allergies. Removes the first signs of the disease: rhinitis, dermatitis. Also worth noting is Desloratadine. The drug belongs to the third generation, does not have a sedative effect, therefore it is allowed for patients engaged in any type of activity. It makes life easier for the patient, removing all external and internal manifestations of food allergies in adults. At observance of the specified dosage, does not cause any adverse reactions. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with other effective drugs:
| cetirizine | Used mainly in the early stages of food allergies in adults. Quickly removes the first manifestations. As prescribed by the doctor, it can be taken as a preventive measure. |
| ebastine | The drug blocks the production of histamine, which in a matter of minutes removes the first manifestations of the disease. The effect persists for two days. |
| Fexofenadine | The drug is quickly absorbed and begins its action in a short time. The remedy eliminates the skin manifestations of food allergies. Fights allergic rhinitis. It is worth carefully studying the instructions and composition, as a contraindication is the individual intolerance of the components. |
| Norastemizol | When using this drug, violations of the body systems are not observed. The tool is quite high quality, belongs to the third generation. The use of the drug is not tied to the time and frequency of meals. Symptoms are significantly reduced, and then completely disappear, within half an hour after use. |
As for corticosteroids, these are hormone-based drugs that eliminate local manifestations of the disease. These drugs include nasal and eye drops, gels, creams and ointments. Among the ointments that effectively relieve the manifestations of urticaria and even Quincke's edema, the following are distinguished:
- Lorinden;
- Fluorocort;
- Flucinar;
- Celestoderm.
Due to their hormonal basis some of them, long-term use is prohibited - a maximum of five days. Non-hormonal ointments and gels have a fairly light texture, penetrate the skin well and do not leave marks on clothes. All of them have a cooling effect, which relieves itching and burning of the skin well. Non-hormonal harmless drugs include Fenistil, Bepanten, Panthenol, Gistan.
If you suffer from rhinitis, it will not be superfluous to take drops and sprays. Like any other medicines, they are hormonal, antihistamines, nasal rinses (moisturizers), vasoconstrictors. Their choice depends on the criticality of the patient's condition. So, with an advanced case, hormonal and vasoconstrictor can be prescribed. From the first minutes they make it easier for the patient to breathe, they are used in emergency situations. With their prolonged use, the nasal mucosa becomes addictive and the situation is not solved, but only aggravated. Therefore, with mild manifestations, it will be appropriate to use antihistamine drops and sprays. These include:
- Fenistil;
- Allergodil;
- Kromoheksal;
- Zyrtec;
- Levocabastin.
The best choice would be nasal rinses. They only contain sea salt and water. These components contribute to the rapid renewal of the nasal mucosa and the removal of sputum. The preparations create an enveloping film on the mucous membrane, which prevents the contact of allergens with it. Significantly strengthen local immunity. These include Humer, Aqua Maris, Aqualor, No-sol and others.
Folk methods
Often, in the treatment of a disease such as food allergies in adults, populists use various herbal preparations. For the first of the recipes, you will need licorice root, burdock and dandelion. Also need fennel leaves. Mix all these components in equal amounts and pour into a thermos, pouring 0.5 liters of boiling water. Leave the decoction overnight, and in the morning strain and take half a glass before each meal.
The next recipe is to brew a mixture of wormwood, alder and plantain. The collection is poured with a glass of hot water, brought to a boil and boiled for five minutes. Let it brew for an hour, and then drink a sip several times a day for half an hour before meals. I would like to mention the healing properties of the series. This herb should be brewed like a simple tea, insisting for 10 minutes. Drink this drink several times a day. It will not be superfluous to take baths with such a decoction. They will help relieve hives and itching of the skin.
With food allergies, lemon balm, valerian root and hops are effective. A spoonful of these ingredients is poured with a glass of boiling water, and after insisting, it is drunk throughout the day. Use the shell of boiled eggs to relieve the symptoms of the disease. It needs to be ground into a powder. Use it three times a day for a quarter teaspoon. Prepare an infusion of strawberry leaves and take it regularly. It will help normalize the digestive tract and remove all toxins from the body.
Diet
With such a disease, it is important to follow the right diet and give up many foods, not only during the period of exacerbation, but also during remission. Eliminate highly allergenic foods from your diet. The following list is subject to restriction in use:
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To compensate for the balance of vitamins and minerals in the body, you need to saturate your diet with foods such as buckwheat, oatmeal, white cabbage, broccoli, zucchini. It is very useful to eat green apples. Often, with complex treatment, vitamins are prescribed. These are all general rules that are subject to any type of allergy. Now I would like to dwell more specifically on each of them. Consider the most common:
| Type of allergy | Forbidden | Allowed |
| Allergy to grain products | Pasta, semolina, bakery products, wheat, oats, coffee substitutes, beer, vodka, whiskey, kvass, dry soups, semi-finished products, breadcrumbs, sausages. | Potatoes, legumes, soy flour, rice or corn starch, seafood, milk, any meat, fruits, bananas. kiwi, soy sauces. |
| Allergy to eggs and chicken meat | Chicken, eggs, mayonnaise, sauces, cakes, ice cream, confectionery, chocolate. | Fish, rabbit, legumes, raisins, cocoa, seeds, milk, cheese, mushrooms, crayfish, crabs, garlic, seaweed, soy meat, soy flour. |
| Allergy to cow's milk | Milk and any dairy products, margarine, cakes, cookies, ice cream. | Nuts, legumes, fish, egg yolk, meat, soy milk, soy yogurt, bean curd, tofu cheese. |
| Allergy to seafood | Fish and any other seafood and products that contain them, even in a minimal amount, smoked meats, marinades, carbonated drinks, alcohol, coffee. | Cauliflower, rowan, meat dishes, feijoa, iodized salt, linseed and cedar oil, nuts, soybeans, wheat. |
| Allergy to fruits (citrus) | Any citrus fruits, strawberries, raspberries, peaches, apricots, red plums, carrots, pumpkins, tomatoes. | Sauerkraut, blackcurrant, broccoli, bell pepper, rosehip, lettuce, egg yolk, beef liver, legumes, cottage cheese, kefir, fish. |
By carefully reading all these data, you can protect yourself from the manifestation of food allergies. It is also worth studying in detail the composition of all the products you use. We recommend keeping a food diary. The exact time of each meal, the amount of food, the symptoms after eating them, and the alleged allergen are entered into it. You need to keep such a diary for at least two months. This will help both you and the doctor to identify the cause of the disease and begin immediate treatment. An important condition is to make entries daily, without gaps. It looks something like this:
| Monday 26.10 | ||||
| Time | Products | Quantity | Symptoms | Suspected allergen |
| Breakfast 8:00 | Oatmeal, dried fruits, baked apple, kefir. | 150 g, 70 g, 1 piece, 200 g. | ||
| Snack 10:00 | Green tea, biscuits. | 200 g, 100 g. | ||
| Lunch 13:00 | Vegetable broth, buckwheat porridge with rabbit meatballs, green tea. | 200 g, 200 g, 2 pieces, 150 g. | Small rash on the face. | Vegetables (potatoes, carrots). |
| Snack 16:00 | Cottage cheese and raisin casserole, black tea. | 150 g, 150 g | The same symptoms. | |
| Dinner 19:30 | Boiled pike perch, salad of white cabbage, cucumber and parsley, olive oil, kefir. | 200 g, 150 g, 5 g, 200 g. | By evening, the symptoms were gone. | |
Already from this, approximately, which product can provoke allergy symptoms. For a while, you will have to give it up for a while and see a doctor. When following a diet, it is important to observe fractional meals in small portions.
Healthy and delicious recipes for food allergies
With the identification of this disease, patients come to a standstill: what dishes to cook now? Do not despair, because there are many recipes for healthy food. Let's take a look at some of them:
Menu for seafood allergies
You can make an excellent beef roulade. To do this, take 200 grams of beef and beat it well. Chop 100 grams of chicken fillet and put it on the beef. Grate 100 grams of walnut, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and salt to taste. This meat is wrapped in a roll, tied with a thread and immersed in the oven on a baking sheet with melted butter.
Eggplants with garlic are suitable as an appetizer. Two eggplants are cut into layers and baked in the oven. After the formation of a golden crust, take them out and pour a little cold water over them. Then grind in a blender and mix with the following ingredients: minced garlic, walnut, olive oil, lemon juice and salt. Such a mass can be filled with tartlets.
Dishes for milk allergy
With such a disease, it is allowed to eat mushrooms to compensate for the lack of vitamins. You can use them as a snack. To do this, take 500 grams of champignons and separate the caps. Cut the legs very finely and mix with soy cheese or Tofu cheese. Add a couple of tablespoons of soy yogurt, herbs and salt to taste to this mixture. Hats are stuffed with such a mass and laid out on a baking sheet. Dip in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
It is useful to start your morning with a vitamin salad of carrots and apples. To do this, grate these ingredients on a medium grater. Add sugar to taste. You can season with unflavored soy yogurt.
Tips for Grain Allergies
All allergists and nutritionists insist that liquid meals must be included in the daily diet. We recommend that you prepare chicken soup. Take a chicken breast, cut it into small cubes and immerse in boiling water (2 l). Salt to taste. After boiling the meat, skip it in a meat grinder and strain the broth. Mix 2 tablespoons of soy flour with butter and pour into the broth, boiling it all for half an hour. Immerse the meat in the broth, beat the egg yolks with the cream and, after boiling, remove from the stove. Before eating the soup, decorate it with herbs.
An appetizer of squid and carrots will decorate any table. 300 grams of squid boiled and finely chopped. A few small boiled carrots are grated on a coarse grater and mixed with grated two apples. After mixing these ingredients, add a pinch of cumin, herbs, soy mayonnaise and salt.
Prevention
For preventive purposes, it is very important to avoid the smells of allergenic products. If only one of the family members suffers from a disease, allocate a separate set of dishes (frying pan, pots) for him so that even vapors of junk food do not fall into the hypoallergenic menu. Try not to overeat or eat two to three hours before bed. It is very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle - to engage in any kind of sport. This will help strengthen the immune system. The best option, in this case, would be swimming.
Eat fruits and vegetables only during their ripening season (cucumbers only in summer, not in winter). It is important not to provoke the appearance of another type of allergy. Clean the room regularly, avoid dust, communication with animals. Keep track of food expiration dates. In no case should there be old or moldy food in the refrigerator. Buy and cook only as much as you can eat at a time or in one day. Household mold should also be avoided. To do this, regularly ventilate wet rooms (bathroom, kitchen).
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