Symptoms of ‘food allergy’ commonly known to the public are called ‘acute food allergy’, which usually show clear symptoms such as swollen eyes, swollen lips, hives, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, and most often symptoms appear within 30-60 minutes after consuming that particular food. This type of food allergy has the potential to cause ‘severe allergic reactions’, which differ in symptoms and onset from ‘hidden food allergy symptoms’.
Characteristics of Hidden Food Allergy Symptoms
Hidden food allergy symptoms can occur in every system of the body, varying from person to person and depending on the type of food. For example, gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, indigestion, irritable bowel, gas in the stomach, or skin symptoms such as acne, itchy rashes on the body. Some people may also have respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, rhinitis, or sinusitis.
Additionally, symptoms may appear as non-specific symptoms such as migraine, headache, joint pain, body aches, and fatigue. Importantly, these symptoms do not appear immediately; they may start mildly after 1 hour or even 1 day after eating the food.
“For example, a case I have encountered is a patient who loves eating steamed buns but feels unusually weak and fatigued after eating them. Or some people experience bloating, indigestion, and gas in the stomach every time they eat bread. These symptoms are not severe but cause discomfort, which may indicate that you are unknowingly having a hidden allergy to that food.”
How to know which hidden food allergy you have?
- Observe yourself to see if eating certain foods causes unusual symptoms that may not be severe but are bothersome and make you feel uncomfortable.
- Blood test is the best method and clearly identifies which foods you are allergic to, up to 222 types in a single test. The test is simple, similar to a routine blood test, but you need to wait about 7 days for the laboratory results.
Can hidden food allergies be cured?
The main cause of hidden food allergies is consuming that food in large amounts or repeatedly, causing the body to react against it. Doctors recommend avoiding the allergenic food for at least about 6 months. For example, if allergic to white rice, you might switch to millet as a substitute, combined with nourishing the body with foods that help strengthen the intestinal system, such as glutamine, magnesium, and probiotics.
After avoiding the allergenic food for 6 months, you can try eating it again. However, remember that even if you can eat it again, there is still a chance of allergy recurrence, and foods you have never been allergic to may cause allergies in the future. Therefore, everyone should avoid eating large amounts of the same food repeatedly over a long period, as this may trigger hidden food allergies.
Dr. Kanpitcha Potanghuadpacharoen
Anti-Aging and Health Rehabilitation Physician
Anti-Aging Medicine Center, Phyathai 3 Hospital
