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Understanding Food Allergies: Symptoms and Solutions

Staff Writer

Introduction

Food allergies affect a significant portion of the Australian population—around 1 in 10 babies, 1 in 20 teenagers, and 1 in 50 adults. For those living with food allergies, every meal can feel like navigating a minefield of potential reactions, from mild itching to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Understanding your body’s response to certain foods is the first step toward living confidently and safely with a food allergy.

The good news? With the right knowledge, practical strategies, and support, managing food allergies doesn’t have to control your life. This guide covers everything you need to know about recognising symptoms, getting a proper diagnosis, and implementing solutions that work for Australian lifestyles.

What Is a Food Allergy?

A food allergy is an immune system reaction that occurs when your body mistakes a harmless protein in food as a threat. Your immune system overreacts, releasing chemicals like histamine to fight off what it perceives as an invader. This triggers the physical symptoms we associate with allergies.

It’s important to note that food allergies are different from food intolerances. Whilst an allergy involves an immune response that can range from mild to severe, an intolerance (such as lactose intolerance) usually affects the digestive system and is generally less dangerous, though certainly uncomfortable.

The Most Common Food Allergens in Australia

In Australia, the most common food allergens that must be declared on food labels include:

It’s worth noting that whilst these are the most common, over 170 different foods have been known to trigger allergic reactions. This includes less obvious culprits like kiwi fruit, banana, celery, and mustard. The severity of reactions can vary dramatically from person to person, and even between different reactions in the same individual.

Recognising Food Allergy Symptoms

Food allergy symptoms typically appear within minutes to two hours of eating the triggering food, though timing can vary. Symptoms can affect different parts of the body simultaneously, and they range from mild to severe.

Mild to Moderate Symptoms

Most food allergic reactions begin with mild to moderate symptoms, including:

These symptoms are uncomfortable and can be alarming, particularly if you’re experiencing them for the first time. However, they’re generally manageable with antihistamines available over the counter.

Severe Symptoms and Anaphylaxis

A severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, is a medical emergency that requires immediate action. Symptoms of anaphylaxis include:

A critical point to remember: mild or moderate symptoms may not always occur before anaphylaxis develops. A reaction can rapidly progress from minor symptoms to life-threatening within minutes. This is why anyone with a known severe food allergy must carry an adrenaline injector (EpiPen or similar) and have an ASCIA Action Plan for Anaphylaxis.

Getting a Proper Diagnosis

If you suspect you have a food allergy, seeking a proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional is essential. This prevents unnecessary food elimination and ensures you’re managing the right condition. Many symptoms associated with food reactions are actually food intolerances or other conditions entirely.

Diagnostic Methods

Your GP or allergy specialist may recommend several diagnostic approaches:

Detailed History: Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms, which foods cause problems, how much you typically eat, and your family history of allergies.

Skin Prick Test: A small amount of the suspected allergen is placed on your skin, and the doctor gently pricks it. If you’re allergic, a small raised bump develops within 15 minutes. However, a positive test alone doesn’t confirm a food allergy—it needs to be combined with your symptom history.

Blood Tests: These measure specific antibodies (IgE) to particular foods. Modern tests can identify allergies with greater accuracy than older methods.

Elimination Diet: Under professional supervision, you remove suspect foods for one to two weeks, then reintroduce them one at a time to observe reactions. This method works best for identifying food intolerances but shouldn’t be used if you’ve had severe reactions previously.

Oral Food Challenge: Considered the gold standard for diagnosis, this test is conducted under strict medical supervision in a healthcare setting. You’re given tiny amounts of the suspected allergen in increasing doses over time, with observation for reactions. This is the most accurate diagnostic method but requires professional oversight.

Solutions for Managing Food Allergies

Managing a food allergy effectively involves multiple strategies tailored to your specific situation. What works brilliantly for one person may not suit another, so working with your healthcare team to develop a personalised approach is crucial.

1. Avoidance and Label Reading

The most straightforward solution remains complete avoidance of the allergen. This sounds simple, but it requires vigilance, particularly when eating foods prepared by others.

Reading Food Labels: Australia’s new Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL) regulations, implemented from February 2024, require clear labelling of allergens. Mandatory allergens must be declared in the ingredient list in bold text and in a separate summary statement beginning with “Contains”. This makes identifying allergens significantly easier than before.

Learn to recognise hidden names for allergens. For example, milk might be listed as casein, whey, or lacto acidophilus. Familiarise yourself with the specific allergen names relevant to your allergy, and always read labels even on products you’ve purchased before—manufacturers change recipes.

2. Communication and Preparation

When eating out or at someone else’s home, communication is your best tool. Inform hosts and restaurant staff about your allergies clearly and specifically. Ask detailed questions about ingredients and food preparation methods, particularly about cross-contamination risks—when allergens have contacted food preparation surfaces or utensils.

Eating at less busy times often means staff can give your order more attention and care, reducing the risk of mistakes.

3. Emergency Preparedness

If you’re at risk of severe allergic reactions, being prepared is non-negotiable:

Carry Your Adrenaline Injector: Always carry prescribed adrenaline injectors (such as EpiPen or Anapen). Two devices are recommended in case you need a second dose—adrenaline takes about 15 minutes to work, and some severe reactions require a second injection.

Obtain an ASCIA Action Plan: Your GP or allergy specialist will provide an Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Action Plan for Anaphylaxis. This document clearly outlines symptoms of different severity levels and step-by-step instructions for treatment. Keep it with your adrenaline device and share copies with those around you—family, friends, work colleagues, and school staff.

Wear Medical Identification: A medical alert bracelet or necklace indicating your allergies significantly increases the likelihood you’ll receive prompt treatment in an emergency situation.

Know Emergency Procedures: In Australia, always call triple zero (000) for severe allergic reactions. Lay the person flat (do not allow them to stand or walk), administer adrenaline into the outer mid-thigh, and call for an ambulance immediately.

4. Medical Treatments and Therapies

Beyond avoidance, several medical treatments can help manage food allergies:

Antihistamines: Over-the-counter or prescribed antihistamines can relieve symptoms of mild to moderate allergic reactions, such as itching and hives. However, they cannot treat severe reactions.

Omalizumab (Xolair): This biologic medication targets and neutralises IgE antibodies responsible for allergic reactions. Administered via injection every two to four weeks, it can reduce the risk of reactions from accidental exposure to allergens and is approved for certain adults and children.

Oral Immunotherapy (OIT): This emerging treatment involves gradually consuming increasing amounts of the allergen under medical supervision to build tolerance. The FDA has approved Palforzia, an oral therapy for peanut allergies in children and young people. Other OITs are being explored for different allergens. It’s important to note that OIT doesn’t cure the allergy but can increase the threshold at which reactions occur, potentially making accidental exposure less dangerous.

Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT): Similar to OIT but involving smaller doses placed under the tongue, this approach is less common but is being researched for various food allergies.

These treatments should only be pursued under the supervision of a clinical immunology or allergy specialist and are typically recommended alongside avoidance strategies rather than as replacements for them.

5. Practical Daily Strategies

Keep a Food and Symptom Diary: Recording what you eat and any symptoms helps identify patterns and potential triggers, particularly useful if reactions seem unpredictable.

Build a Support Network: Connect with others who have food allergies through support groups. Sharing experiences and practical tips with people who truly understand can be invaluable for your mental and emotional wellbeing.

Plan Ahead for Social Situations: Offer to bring a dish you can eat to social gatherings, research restaurant menus beforehand, and don’t feel pressured to eat if you’re unsure about ingredients.

Educate Your Circle: Make sure family members, close friends, colleagues, and anyone supervising your children understand your allergies, can recognise symptoms, and know how to administer adrenaline if needed.

Stay Informed: Food allergen information evolves as regulations change and new research emerges. Keep up to date with resources from Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia and the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA).

Living Well With Food Allergies

Having a food allergy is undoubtedly challenging, but it shouldn’t prevent you from enjoying meals, socialising, or living a full life. With proper diagnosis, clear communication, emergency preparedness, and the right support systems in place, you can manage your allergies effectively and confidently.

The key is understanding your specific triggers, knowing your body’s response patterns, and building a toolkit of strategies and supports tailored to your needs. Whether it’s reading labels meticulously, carrying your adrenaline device, pursuing medical treatments, or simply knowing when to ask questions, every step you take toward managing your allergy empowers you to make safer choices.

If you suspect you or someone close to you has a food allergy, reach out to your GP or an allergy specialist. Getting a proper diagnosis is the foundation for all other management strategies. Remember, you’re not alone—thousands of Australians live well with food allergies every single day, and so can you.

Key Takeaways

Staff Writer
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