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Ever heard of someone developing a life-threatening allergic reaction from something as small as a peanut? Someone suffering an asthma attack just after taking a spoonful of cooked mushrooms? Or a severe attack of migraine triggered by black pepper? These may sound strange, but true!
Food allergy is the reaction of the immune system that occurs immediately after eating a certain food. If one has food allergy, the immune system overreacts to a particular protein found in that food. Coming in contact with even a little amount of that particular food can trigger symptoms. Some people may experience severe symptoms from a food allergy, including the potentially fatal anaphylactic reaction (swelling of the throat, airways become narrow blocking breathing). Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening reaction that can impair breathing and send the body into shock; reactions may simultaneously affect different parts of the body (for example, a stomach-ache accompanied by a rash).
Many people think the terms ‘food allergy’ and ‘food intolerance’ mean the same, but they do not. Food intolerance is an adverse food-induced reaction that does not involve the immune system. Lactose intolerance is one example of food intolerance. A person with lactose intolerance lacks an enzyme that is needed to digest milk sugar. When the person eats milk products, symptoms such as gas, bloating and abdominal pain may occur.
Although an individual may be allergic to any food, such as fruits, vegetables and meats, these are not as common as the following eight foods which account for 90 per cent of all food-allergic reactions: Milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts (walnut, cashew, etc.), fish, shellfish, soya and wheat.
Homeopathic Treatment For Food Allergy
Homeopathic treatment of food allergies can be very beneficial as it treats food allergies by optimising the overcharged immune system. Though the treatment may require a more serious approach, most of the allergies can be treated with homeopathy. Homeopathy views food allergies as an expression of a disturbance in the patient’s healing system. Food allergies are not a disease to be cured in themselves, but a reflection of an underlying imbalance.
Food sensitivity or intolerance can be treated by homeopathic medicines that are specific to that particular problem. For example, homeopathic medicine Silicea for milk intolerance in infants, when even the mother’s milk disagrees; Zingiber for diarrhea that sets in after eating melons; Antim crudum for headache that comes after eating fruits.
Homeopathic Medicines For Food Allergies
1. Calcarea Carb – For Milk Allergy
Calcarea Carb is an important homeopathic medicine for milk allergy when there is vomiting after consuming milk. There is nausea, distension of abdomen, cutting pain and diarrhea. In some cases, there may be a cold sensation in the abdomen.
How And When To Take Calcarea Carb?
If symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and loose stools appear after consuming any milk product, calcarea carbonica can be taken. Low potency (30C), can be taken 2-3 times in a day. High potency 200C can be taken once in a day if expected results are not seen after taking low potency. It is advisable to consult an experienced homeopath before administering 1M or higher potency.
2. Colchicum – For Allergy From Egg
Colchicum is a well-known homeopathic medicine used for gastrointestinal ailments arising after eating eggs. It is the best remedy for distension of the abdomen with gas and loud flatus. There are frequent tasteless burps with pressing/ tearing/ cutting or stitching pain and cramps in stomach. The patient cannot bear the smell of food, it causes nausea and vomiting. The stool contains white large particles in large quantities with mucus-like rice water. All the symptoms of Colchicum are relieved by bending forward.
When And How To Use Colchicum?
It is used in case of stomach pain or feeling of pressure on the stomach with heaviness and continuous rumbling of gas. The recommended dosage in most of the cases is 30C which can be used up to 2-3 times in a day.
200C and 1M are considered very high potencies. The suggested dose of 200C is once in a day, not to be repeated frequently. It is best to consult an experienced homeopath as self-medication should not be done in high power dosage.
3. Urtica Urens – Homeopathic Remedy For Shell Fish/Fish Allergy
Urtica Urens is a top-ranked homeopathic medicine for treating shell fish allergy. There is violent itching with burning and stinging pain on skin. Sometimes along with itching, swelling all over rashes are formed known as hives. The skin looks red, raised and requires constant scratching. The eruption and itching disappear as soon as the patient lies down and reappear immediately after rising. The complaints get worse by water, touch, air, rising up and disappear after lying down.
When and How to use Urtica Urens?
This remedy can be used in rashes or hives which arise after consuming fish/shell fish. Symptoms mainly categorise with intense skin itching, followed by burning. It can be taken 2-3 times in a day in 30C potency. Higher potencies such as 200C and 1M can also be used but it is best to seek professional help before using them.
4. Lycopodium – For Wheat Allergy
Lycopodium offers a homeopathic cure for wheat allergy when consumption of wheat products triggers a gastric reaction. It comprises of symptoms like bloating, burping (tasting sour) and flatulence. It is well indicated for weak digestion with burning burping and bitter taste in mouth.
When and How to take lycopodium?
It is a remedy that is used in wheat allergy with a much-bloated abdomen, heartburn, waterbrash (acid reflux from stomach upwards to the throat) and noisy flatulence. Both the lower and the highest potencies are credited with excellent results. But as it is a deep-acting remedy hence lower potency, 30C is usually preferred, 2-3 times in a day. Otherwise 200C potency or higher dose, has proved efficacious, but should not be taken too frequently.
5. Apis Mellifica – For Skin Issues In Food Allergy
Apis Mellifica is a wonderful medicine for treating Urticaria (rashes of round, red welts) on the skin where itching is severe. It is a great remedy when hives develop due to milk allergy. The body is covered with large, elevated bumps accompanied by stinging, burning, pricking or itching. The wheals (red, swollen marks) are painful, tender, hot and extremely sensitive to touch with stinging pain. There is also violent itching and burning in the wheals. The person needing Apis Mellifica may experience worsening of symptoms by warmth and relief by cold applications.
When and How to take Apis mellifica?
The symptoms such as hives/wheals/ bumps caused due to specific foods are largely benefitted by Apis. The complaints include rapid swelling of the affected area along with stinging pain, burning, itching and redness. The lower potency 30C works well in these conditions and can be repeated 2-3 times in a day. A careful analysis should be done before using it in 200C and 1M potencies and should not be frequently repeated if the symptoms doesn’t seem to get better.
Common Food Allergens
In adults, they include:
Peanuts
Tree nuts, such as walnuts
Shellfish, including shrimps, crayfish, lobsters and crabs
For children, the food allergens that most often cause problems are:
Eggs
Milk
Peanuts
Types Of Food Allergies
Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome
Also termed as oral allergy syndrome, pollen food allergy syndrome affects many people having hay fever. In this condition, a protein found in certain nuts, spices, fresh fruits and vegetables can trigger an allergic reaction that can cause itching in the mouth. In serious reactions, it can lead to throat swelling or anaphylaxis.
Proteins in certain fruits, vegetables or nuts cause the reaction as they are similar to allergy-causing proteins found in certain pollens. This is an example of cross reactivity.
Exercise-Induced Food Allergy Syndrome
In this condition after eating certain foods, there is itching, a person may faint and can get ‘hives’ or even anaphylaxis when body temperature goes up after exercising. One can prevent it by avoiding eating anything for a few hours before exercising.
Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES)
Also referred to as delayed food allergy, it is a severe condition causing vomiting and diarrhea after consuming food allergen, like milk, soy and grains. FPIES mostly develops in infancy when the baby is introduced to solid food.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis
In this condition, there is inflammation of esophagus (food pipe). It occurs due to allergy or sensitivity to particular proteins found in foods. Many people with this condition have a family history of asthma, rhinitis, dermatitis or food allergy.
Symptoms Of Food Allergy
The symptoms that the allergic individual produces are individual in nature. They can range from a mild asthmatic attack to a severe life-threatening allergic response anaphylaxis.
– If people are allergic to a particular food, for example, they may first experience itching in the mouth as they start to eat food.
– After the food is digested in the stomach, abdominal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea or pain may start.
– When the food allergens enter and travel through the bloodstream, they can cause a drop in blood pressure.
– As the allergens reach the skin, they can induce hives or eczema, or when they reach the lungs, they may cause asthma.
– All of this takes place within a few minutes to an hour.
Other symptoms include
– Shortness of breath
– Wheezing,
– Repetitive cough
– Shock or circulatory collapse
– Tight, hoarse throat; trouble swallowing
– Swelling of the tongue, affecting the ability to talk or breathe
– Weak pulse
– Pale or blue colouring of skin
– Dizziness or fainting
Most food-related symptoms occur within two hours of ingestion; often they start within minutes. In some very rare cases, the reaction may be delayed by four to six hours or even longer. Delayed reactions are most typically seen in children who develop eczema as a symptom of food allergy and in people with a rare allergy to red meat caused by the bite of a lone star tick.
Pathophysiology Of Food Allergy
Our immune system uses two components to deal with food allergies. One of these is immunoglobulin E (IgE), a type of blood-moving protein known as an antibody. The other is mast cells, which are found in all body tissues but are particularly prevalent in the digestive tract, nose, throat, and lungs. When you eat a food to which you are allergic to for the first time, certain cells produce a lot of IgE to counter the allergen in the food. IgE is released and adheres to the surface of the mast cells. Although you won’t have an allergic reaction just yet, your body is prepared to do so.
The allergen reacts with that IgE the time you consume the meal containing the allergen, causing the mast cells to release histamine and other substances. These compounds will produce different symptoms depending on the tissue they are in. Additionally, some food allergens can enter your bloodstream because they aren’t destroyed by the cooking heat, stomach acids, or other food-digesting enzymes. They can then spread throughout your body and trigger allergic reactions. The timing and the place are impacted by the digestive process. Your mouth can start to itch. Then, you can have symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, or stomach pain. Blood-borne food allergies can lower blood pressure. They can cause hives ( reddish bumps on skin) when they reach the skin.
Risk Factors Of Food Allergy
1. Family history: Risk of having food allergy increases if one has a family history of asthma, hives, eczema or allergies, like hay fever.
2. Age: Food allergies are more common in children, especially infants. As a child grow older, the digestive system matures and the body is less affected by the food that triggers allergy.
3. Asthma: Asthma and food allergy commonly occur simultaneously. When they occur symptoms of both are severe.
4. Other allergies: If one is having a particular type of allergic reaction like hay fever, one is more prone to risk of developing food allergy.
Dr. Vikas Sharma is a Chandigarh-based homeopathic doctor. He has been practicing homeopathy for the last 13 years.
My 5 year old son has severe nut allergies. The reactions include vomitting/hives/skin eruption etc.
Please let me know if there is any homeo treatment for nut allergies.
Thanks.
My husband for the past year has become allergic to (wheat.gluten, rye, oats, rice including brown rice, soy, dairy, peanuts, preservatives, food coloring). He mostly lives on juicing veg/fruits. He can eat salmon and cod. Don’t know what to do to help him; he losing a lot of weight and energy. Do you know what he could take to help alleviate this sudden onset of allergies?
Dr sir,
I am showing lots of reactions after having garlic or shrimp and a host of other foods and also around my pets that I was told are hypoallergenic My throat gets tight mouth burns ESP the gums I have to take Benadryl daily and don’t like to is there another more natural approach to my problem. What really bothers me is when I take medications it rises my blood pressure and my Herat beats very fast and I shake
Thank you for your time
as i eat food which contains salt i got some problems like wants to sleep feel laziness, stomach heavy, memory weak, feel hungry, pain in veins and it blinks fast.Please give the treatment regarding it I am not able to do any thing
I have dealt with numerous food allergies for the last 3 years (wheat,rye,barley,oats,citrus,salmon,avocado,cashews,recently kamut) . My reaction is mostly hives and with the grains is hives and GI issues gas,bloating,constipation. I’m currently looking at dairy. If this keeps up I will be living off of water. I used to suffer environmental allergies. About 15 years ago I used Homeopathy to relieve a lifetime of that suffering. I’d like to do that again with food allergies. I’ve gotten used to living a restricted life but I fear more allergies developing. If I could solve this problem I would be thrilled. I can’t afford to lose any more foods. Do I eat these foods I’m allergic to and then just take the remedy I think is suitable for me? How do you approach this?
My daughter aged 24 had been tested a few years ago with certain food allergies which disappeared with time. Recently she has agin started to react to diiferent food by breaking out into hives ,swelling of lips and face. The reaction as of now are concentrated on her facial parts. She takes an antiasthmine for relief but now it is happening more often and interferes with her work.Please advise
Hi, my daughter is 3 and recently found out that she has allergies to wheat, milk, eggs, corn, soy, sesame seeds, walnuts. Is there a possible treatment for this, Please let me know.Thank you
Sir, my son 15 years old is suffering from Wheat Allergy, last week PGI Chandigarh found the disease by tTG test. PGI suggested to my son avoid wheat or wheat product. I am in stress due to my son disease. Please suggest me by homeopathy treatment. Sir, is there a complete treatment by homeopathy. What is the period of treatment. My son hb is around 6gm and weight is 41kg and height is 154 cm. Thanks a lot.
sir,my daughter is 2 yrs 4 months old is suffering from wheat allergy. dr. found the disease by tTG test which result is 157.50 dr suggested her for biopsy and avoid wheat and wheat product.i m in stress .sir is there a complete treatment by homeopathy. what will the priod and precautions. thanking you
I am lactose intolerant/ what treatment should i take in homeo? will ther be any food restrictions/
Sir,
If I drink milk(ordinary pocket milk) after one hr in stomach gas producing more and coming out from bottom also.on next day I had loose motion. I am known Hiatus Hernia patient.pl help me
Thanking you,
With Regards,
pm suresh
Hi, my daughter ( 5 years old) is allergic to walnuts, cashew nuts and other tree nuts..she is fine with almonds and and hazel nuts.
she had developed infantile eczema , when she was three months old,we got her treated for the same by homeopathy.
we found about her allergy to nuts about a few monrths ago,she gets cramps in her stomach and tingling on throat,was drooling and feeling sick, and doctors have given a plan for anaphylaxia and advised to avoid nut,
please advise if there is any treatment and permanent cure.
thanks.
ο γιος εχει αλλεργια στα γαλακτοκομικα και θα ηθελα να μαθω αν μπορω να λυσω το προβλημα με ομοιοπαθητικη[με την κλασικη ιατρικη δεν μπορεσα να το λυσω]
ο γιος μου εχει δυσανεξια στη λακτοζη και θελω να μου πειτε αν μπορω να λυσω το προβλημα με ομοιοπαθηητικη[με την κλασικη ιατρικη δεν βρηκα λυση] ευχαριστω περιμενω απαντηση
I have an 18 year old daughter, who is an avid swimmer and water polo player.
She has an allergy to chlorine, but can’t give up the sports. She had also had a reaction to cashews in the past, but can avoid those. Her symptoms are the congestion in the nose, which large amounts of discharge. She eventually gets tired frequently from it. She also develops athlete’s feet and gets large cracks on her feet. We have tried some homeopathy and constitutional treatments but so far no success. Have we missed a remedy we should look at?
I have lactose intolerance which remained undetected for 4 years. During this period i suffered and my digestive system has become weaker. Any variation in the food causes acidity and bloating and flatulence.
Is there any remedy in Homeopathy.
Please inform.
Thanks,
Nitin
I am a 26 year old female and I just recently found out that I have an allergy to nuts. This came to be quite a shock to me because I eat peanut butter, trail mix and other things with nuts in them all the time. The only time I can recall ever having a reaction was at christmas time when I ate a walnut, the only thing that happned to me was my mouth got a little itcy inside and I had to brush my teeth. That being said I was quite shocked to find out that I have an allergy and my allergy doctor tells me I need an epi pen.
In the mean time, I am very upset because I am in my final stages of joining the military and was told because of my allergy and need for an epi pen, my chances of being accepted are low. This is very frustrating because i’ve been working so hard to be accepted and I will do whatever it takes to change it.
my question is: are there treatments that will stop the allergy from getting worse so I do not require an epi pen? do I still have a chance of getting accepted into the military?
any suggestions would help, thank you.
Hello Dr.
My son 2 years old now. Very active child. He had an allergic with seafood and eag since he was a baby. I already give him Graphite daily, Nat. Sulp. and Sulphur once a week.
Untill now he still can’t eat seafood and eags. Sometimes he got very constipation. Could Dr. suggest someting to make his life free from allergic.
hello,
My 8 year old son is intollerant to milk since birth. If taken occassionally his symptoms start after more than 24 hrs of consumption. choclates,cova,paneer etc also cause intollerance
1. asthamatic symtoms breathing problems
2. High fever
3. Motions
well tollerable to butter milk & curd.
Please let me know if there is any homeo treatment for this
thanks,
raju.
One more thing is should tell is i suffered an allergy to idli for more than 15 years finally got rid with one dose of sepia
Hello,
My 5 year old son has severe nut allergies. The reactions include vomitting/hives/shortness of breath etc.
Please let me know if there is any homeo treatment for nut allergies.
thanks,
Raji
Hi Dr..My dauhter is 1yr.7mths old.She had severe allergy from treenuts and get hives and redness on face and feels very uncomfortable..Is there any homeopathic treatment.that can treat the root cause and she does not have to live with fear ….what she can have or not..
My body is allergic to all food items containing chemical preservatives, flavours and colours. kindly prescribe a good medicine for me.
Seems like am suffering from some sort of ‘food allergy’ since last one month.As within 20 to 30 minutes of having my meal i observe itchy skin eruptions or hives all over my body. And it stays on for 10-12 hrs, hence am forced to take anti-allergic tablet almost daily. Please advice if Homeopathy can help me. Thanx.
due to food allergy i am suffering from colitis and uneasiness in rectum,lack of appetite,weight loss
due to food allergy i am suffering from colitis and uneasiness in rectum,lack of appetite,weight loss
I am writing on behalf of my mother who is plagued with various food and fabric allergies. She needs cataract operations soon, bit she is worried about being allergic to the polyacrylate replacement lenses. Is this possible ? Her Consultant seems concerned but cannot reassure her. The most common symptom she suffers from is an excessively salty mouth, and she seems to believe she is allergic to salt. Is this possible ? Human biochemistry is based on saline,and I have my doubts. This has being going on for 30 years and first appeared at her menopause, and I was wondering if this raft of food and fabric allergies is due to a hormonal imbalance . I would like to know if there is a possible cause to her condition , and is/are there any clinics that would be interested in her as a possible research subject !
dear sir, i am a 66 year old african american female. i am severly allergic to pork, beef, chicken, lamb, turkey, eggs, butter, and cow’s milk. also all fish that are filthy feeder. just being in the area while they are being cooked, or being in the presence of someone who has just eaten these meats can cause me tb have a severe allergic reaction. chemical, colors, or dyes, soaps, detergents. even the allergy meds can cause bad reaction.being in a vegan or vegetarian , or on an island has been my only relief. no matter how much fiber or fruit and veggies i eat, i get severe constipation in a toxic enviornment. i have no other medical problems. no cure. how can i tolorate life more easily?
actually i have regular iiching in hole body aspot comes out after every time remains for some time and than get removed
Hello Doctor,
My daughter who is now 2yrs and 4 months has an allergy from milk products. Whenever she takes in even a minute piece of milk chocolate, she starts getting red spots on her face, gets a very bad cold and her face starts to swell near the eyes and nose area.
Right now, she is on soya milk only and plus she not being a good eater, her health is not upto the mark. Right now she is 10.3 kgs.
Please suggest us, what we should do and how do we get her to over come this allergy. Tomorrow when she goes to school, shes going to have big trouble refraining from chocolates etc.
Kindly suggest us a suitable solution doctor.
Best regards,
Avinash D’souza.
Same problem of my younger unmarried sister – itching, rash like measel on skin, sometimes skin marks like scratch or expanding marks and then vanished after a few days if not taken apple, pumpkin, milk and milk product, choko, spices on purchased food etc. We are now scared of taking any food and fruit.
Hello Doctor,
Is it really harmful to have milk and fish in same time. What homeopathy says about this?
My daughter is 9yrs now, since birth she has severe food allergies from Milk protein (from any milk product) and nuts (peanuts, cashews). Please advice.
sir, i feel that milk taken by me causes throat irritation and i can not take curd doctor say it is pharyngitis . hyperacidity is form after taking milk product and a heavy irritation in tonsils
Dear Sir,
My daughter 7 years old has severe allergy to milk protein, when she eats one drop of milk in any food sneezes for hours, inside of her noise blockens, asthmatic problems occurs. Other day she becomes sick( cold becomes). Every nights her noise blockens, in days she usually touches her noise which is very sensitive any kind of odors.
In last three years although she hasn’t eat any milk product she lives these problems frequently. In allergy tests only milk and peanut allergy is seen.
Is there any homeopathic treatment to this problem?
Does my daughter can eat same foods with other children in the future?
Advance thanks and best regards