Common Food Allergies Which Often Get Blamed On Other Health Issues

You may think that if you or your child has a food allergy, you would know it. However, if your idea of a food allergy is something that makes your throat swell or your mouth go numb, you should know that food allergies can cause an array of different symptoms. The symptoms from one food allergy to the next can be so variant, in fact, that it is not at all uncommon for a food allergy to be wrongly associated with a health issue or sickness that is completely unrelated. Here are a few common food allergies which often get blamed on other problems. 

Wheat Gluten Allergy

Wheat gluten can be found in everything from pasta and crackers to canned foods, which makes it hard to avoid. While some people will have the telltale symptoms of an allergic reaction when they are allergic to wheat gluten, in many cases, the problem shows up as symptoms like headaches, upset stomach, and even nasal congestion. Because of this, some people will suffer for years with an allergy to wheat gluten, all the while blaming the problem on something else entirely. Therefore, if you feel like you are coming down with some form of flu after eating, you could be dealing with an allergic reaction to wheat gluten. 

Peanut Allergy

A peanut allergy often shows itself with symptoms like a swelling throat or difficulty breathing, but usually only in the most severe situations. If someone has a milder peanut allergy, they may experience slight shortness of breath after consumption or even a runny nose. Itching and tingling around the mouth, lips, and throat are also possible with a peanut allergy. These milder allergic reactions may get blamed on everything from the common cold to sun sensitivity. If you commonly have these symptoms after consuming products that have peanuts, it is best to be tested for a peanut allergy.

Chocolate Allergy 

Even though allergies associated with chocolate are a little less common than some other allergies, this is one allergy that affects more people than usually know there is an issue. If you are experiencing an allergic reaction to chocolate, you could develop skin irritations that make you itch or even shortness of breath. But, an allergy to chocolate can also cause heartburn and indigestion or even restlessness and irritability. These two symptoms are not commonly associated with an allergic reaction of any kind, so it is easy to misread the signs and point the finger at some other problem.  

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