There is a chance of 1 out of 10 Australian babies born will develop a food allergy before their first birthday.
There is such a thing as suffering from exercise-induced food allergies. Strange but scientifically proven to be true! Some people who eat and then work out find that their increase in body temperature triggers allergic symptoms to food that can be as serious as anaphylaxis.
More than 170 foods are known to have triggered severe allergic reactions. However, the “big eight” – milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, wheat, and soy – making up 90 per cent of cases.
Meat allergies are unusual because, unlike other allergies, they usually take between four and six hours to manifest.
Fruit allergies can sometimes be caused by an allergic reaction to pollen rather than the fruit itself. People with allergies to tree pollen will often have similar reactions to fruits that grow on them.
Have you heard of the marshmallow allergy? If, you’re allergic to this popular treat, it’s most likely the ingredient gelatine that’s causing your problems. Gelatine is also found in some gums, lollies, and frosted cereals.
More than 650,000 Aussies have a diagnosed food allergy.
Aquagenic urticaria is a rash caused by contact with water. According to this 2011 study, people who have this allergy can drink water but get itchy hives if they’re submerged in it. Not technically a food allergy, but we thought it was worth mention.
Food allergies can develop at any age and many people remain undiagnosed or self-diagnosed. Children sometime outgrow their allergies and adults can develop allergies later in life after eating the same food without a problem for many years.
There’s no cure for food allergy – just careful management.
