Strategies on Learning What Causes Food Allergies

It's hard to pinpoint exactly what causes allergies, especially if you have a delayed allergic response.

People with an immediate-onset allergy generally react to one or two foods, while those with a delayed-onset sensitivity may react to as many as 15. Keep reading to learn how to find out what causes allergies and the body's allergic response.

How the Allergic Reaction Works

A food allergy is actually an immune system function. Basically, the body senses a substance that it doesn't like or want inside the body. It responds by releasing white blood cells along with histamine and leukotrienes, which cause inflammation. That inflammation can occur in the stomach, intestinal tract, throat, mouth or in the form of a rash.

In addition to sending out white blood cells, the immune system also powers up its antibodies. These try to rid the body of any traces of the offending food in the intestinal tract, blood or stomach. Unfortunately, they can cause long-term harm.

With immediate-onset allergies, symptoms will appear within one to two hours of eating even a small amount of culprit food. They often manifest as hives, hay fever, asthma or swelling of the mouth, lips or respiratory tract.

With delayed-response allergic reactions, symptoms will appear up to 72 hours after eating the culprit food. They're usually provoked by eating a large amount of it or ingesting it frequently.

Finding Out the Diet Resulting in Your Allergies

Keep a Food Diary

The best way to monitor your consumption and track down an allergy is to keep a food diary. By monitoring everything you eat and tracking your symptoms, you will start to see a pattern, eventually allowing you to pinpoint certain trigger items you eat.

Eliminate Culprit Foods

If you suspect a certain food is causing your allergies, don't eat it for three weeks, and then reintroduce it to see if it causes problems. If it does, you've pinpointed your allergy.

If you believe your allergy may be caused by multiple culprit foods, try eliminating all the suspect items from your diet for three weeks. After this cleansing period, begin to eat a little of each individual food, one-by-one. Allow for a four-day window between introductions. During this period, keep a careful eye on your symptoms.

Sometimes, eliminating certain foods which were previously staples of your diet can lead to withdrawal symptoms like fatigue, headaches and aches and pains. That's not at all unusual and ought not alarm you.

Eliminate the Culprit Food

Once you've found your culprit food, it's time to eliminate it from your diet. Ideally, your symptoms should disappear within 3 to 6 months. Sometimes, if the allergy isn't severe, the foods can be gradually reintroduced in small amounts. Before you do so with certain foods, though, you may want to consult with your doctor or a nutritionist.

By creating an awareness of what you eat and how it affects your body, you can begin to learn the causes of your allergies and take appropriate action.

For great information on the treatment of various diseases and conditions - please visit diseasetreatmenttips.com - a popular site about tackling ailments - such as female herpes - diabetes medical supplies - and many more!